How common it is
要 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say yào slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“要”可以用来表示想要或需要某物。
yào kě yǐ lái bǎo shí xiǎng huò yào suǒ mò.
‘要’ can be used to express wanting or needing something.
Context note
“要”常用于日常对话中，比如表达需求或愿望。
yào cháng yòng yú rì cháng huà huà zhōng, bǐ 如 表 达 需 求 或 愿 望 。
'要' is commonly used in daily conversations to express needs or wishes.
5 examples
我想要一个苹果。
wǒ xiǎng yào yí gè píng guǒ。
I want an apple.
你妈妈要买菜。
nǐ mā ma yào mǎi cài。
Your mom is going to buy vegetables.
我们明天要去公园。
wǒ men míng tiān yào qù gōng yuán。
We are going to the park tomorrow.
他要来参加聚会。
tā yào lái cān jiā jù huì。
He is coming to the party.
这本书你要不要借？
zhè běn shū nǐ yào bu yào jiè？
Do you want to borrow this book?
5 mini stories
妈妈要买菜，爸爸也要。
mā ma yào mǎi cài， bà ba yě yào。
Mom is going to buy vegetables, and dad wants to go too.
我们要去公园玩。弟弟也要。
wǒ men yào qù gōng yuán wán。 dì di yě yào。
We are going to the park to play. Little brother also wants to go.
你要不要吃点水果？我这里有苹果和香蕉。
nǐ yào bu yào chī diǎn shuǐ guǒ？ wǒ zhè lǐ yǒu píng guǒ hé xiāng jiāo。
Do you want to eat some fruit? I have apples and bananas here.
我们要早点回家，因为天要黑了。
wǒ men yào zǎo diǎn huí jiā， yīn wèi tiān yào hēi le。
We are going to go home early because it is getting dark.
你要不要一起玩？我这里有玩具。
nǐ yào bu yào yì qǐ wán？ wǒ zhè lǐ yǒu wán jù。
Do you want to play with me? I have some toys here.