你想要什么？
nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?
In Chinese, "what do you want?" is expressed as 你想要什么？ (nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?)
This phrase is used to ask someone about a specific thing they desire or wish to obtain.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 你 (you), 想 (would like/wish), 要 (to want/to need) and 什么 (what).
Which one should you use?
While 你想要什么？ is a standard way to ask the question, removing 想 to say 你要什么？ makes the question more direct and can sound more demanding or blunt.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, the word order in this Chinese question follows the same structure as a statement: Subject + Verb + Object.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?
Did you know?
- The character 想 contains the radical for 'heart' at the bottom, reflecting the idea that wanting or thinking originates from the emotions.
- If someone answers 随便 (suíbiàn) to this question, they aren't being dismissive but are giving you the power to choose whatever you like.
- The character 想 means 'to want' in this phrase, but its original meaning is 'to think' or 'to miss someone'.
Examples in context
- 你想要什么？Nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?What do you want?
Example conversation
Haoran is helping Zihan shop for a birthday gift.
- 浩然 Haoran你想买礼物吗？Nǐ xiǎng mǎi lǐwù ma?Do you want to buy a gift?
- 梓涵 Zihan是的，但我还没想好。Shì de, dàn wǒ hái méi xiǎng hǎo.Yes, but I haven't decided yet.
- 浩然 Haoran那你说说，你想要什么？Nà nǐ shuō shuō, nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?Then tell me, what do you want?
- 梓涵 Zihan我想要那件红色的裙子。Wǒ xiǎng yào nà jiàn hóngsè de qúnzi.I want that red dress.
