我要那个
wǒ yào nàge
In Chinese, "I want that" is expressed as 我要那个 (wǒ yào nàge).
The phrase 我要那个 is used to express a desire to obtain or purchase a specific object. In a shopping context, it is natural and common to point at an object while saying 我要那个 to indicate the item you wish to purchase.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 我 (wǒ) meaning "I", 要 (yào) meaning "want/will" and 那个 (nàge) meaning "that one".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, you can express this desire using 我想要嗰個 or 我要嗰個.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "I want this" instead of "I want that", replace 那个 (nàge) with 这个 (zhège).
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ yào nàge
Did you know?
- The character 我 (wǒ) is an ancient pictograph that originally depicted a variety of weapons, suggesting the word for 'I' may have once related to a warrior.
- In many regions, the word 那个 is used as a universal filler word, similar to how English speakers use 'um' or 'like'. It is frequently inserted into sentences while the speaker is searching for the next word.
- If you use 我要 (wǒ yào) to express a desire for a person rather than an object, it can sound incredibly aggressive or even predatory. It is much safer to use 我想要 (wǒ xiǎng yào) when expressing a desire for something more abstract.
Examples in context
- 我要那个。Wǒ yào nàge.I want that.
- 我不喜欢这个，我要那个。Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège, wǒ yào nàge.I don't like this one, I want that one.
- 那个红色的，我要那个。Nàge hóngsè de, wǒ yào nàge.That red one, I want that one.
Example conversation
At a clothing store, Haoran and Xiaowen are looking at shirts.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，你看这件衣服。Xiǎowén, nǐ kàn zhè jiàn yīfú.Xiaowen, look at this piece of clothing.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我不喜欢这件，我要那个。Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhè jiàn, wǒ yào nàge.I don't like this one, I want that one.
- 浩然 Haoran你要那个蓝色的吗？Nǐ yào nàge lán sè de ma?Do you want that blue one?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen对，我要那个。Duì, wǒ yào nàge.Yes, I want that one.
