Meaning
想要 is a common auxiliary verb expressing desire or intention to do something or possess something. It combines 想 (to think) and 要 (to want), creating a slightly softer, more polite expression of wanting than 要 alone. It can be followed by either a verb phrase (to want to do something) or a noun (to want something).
Usage
想要 is very common in everyday speech and is considered more polite and less direct than using 要 alone. When followed by a verb, it expresses desire or intention (想要去 'want to go'). When followed by a noun, it means 'to want/desire something' (想要一杯咖啡 'want a cup of coffee'). It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.
Examples
- 01我想要学中文。.I want to learn Chinese.
- 02你想要喝点什么？?What would you like to drink?
Characters
Common collocations
- 想要做to want to do
- 想要买to want to buy
- 很想要to really want
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 想 (originally 'to think' or 'to miss') with 要 (originally 'to demand' or 'to need'), softening the directness of 要 by adding the more contemplative quality of 想.