How common it is
需 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say xū slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
需的意思是需要或必须，比如我们需要水才能生存。
Xū de yìsi shì xūyào huò bìxū, bǐrú wǒmen xūyào shuǐ cáinéng shēngcún.
Need means to require or must, like we need water to survive.
Context note
我们常说需做什么，比如需完成作业或需帮助。
Wǒmen cháng shuō xū zuò shénme, bǐrú xū wánchéng zuòyè huò xū bāngzhù.
We often say 'need to do something', like need to finish homework or need help.
5 examples
我们需每天喝水。
wǒ men xū měi tiān hē shuǐ。
We need to drink water every day.
他需完成作业才能玩。
tā xū wán chéng zuò yè cái néng wán。
He needs to finish homework before playing.
植物需阳光才能生长。
zhí wù xū yáng guāng cái néng shēng zhǎng。
Plants need sunlight to grow.
我需一支笔来写字。
wǒ xū yì zhī bǐ lái xiě zì。
I need a pen to write.
大家需保持安静。
dà jiā xū bǎo chí ān jìng。
Everyone needs to keep quiet.
5 mini stories
小猫咪需喝牛奶。它喝完后开心地叫了。
xiǎo māo mī xū hē niú nǎi。 tā hē wán hòu kāi xīn dì jiào le。
The kitten needs to drink milk. It meowed happily after drinking.
我们需爱护环境。不要乱扔垃圾。
wǒ men xū ài hù huán jìng。 bú yào luàn rēng lā jī。
We need to protect the environment. Don't litter.
小明需帮助朋友搬书。他们一起完成了任务。
xiǎo míng xū bāng zhù péng yǒu bān shū。 tā men yì qǐ wán chéng le rèn wu。
Xiao Ming needs to help a friend carry books. They finished the task together.
花儿需浇水。妈妈每天给它们浇水。
huā ér xū jiāo shuǐ。 mā ma měi tiān gěi tā men jiāo shuǐ。
The flowers need watering. Mom waters them every day.
我们需学习新知识。这样我们才能进步。
wǒ men xū xué xí xīn zhī shi。 zhè yàng wǒ men cái néng jìn bù。
We need to learn new knowledge. This way we can improve.