要

Meaningyào(verb)

to want; to need; to ask for; will; shall; about to; need to; should; if (same as 是); (bound form) important

Examples

• 我要一杯咖啡。

  wǒ yào yì bēi kā fēi.

  I'd like a cup of coffee.

• 明天要下雨了。

  míng tiān yào xià yǔ le.

  It's going to rain tomorrow.

• 上班不要迟到。

  shàng bān bú yào chí dào.

  Don't be late for work.

Easily confused

• 想 — 想 is a softer wish; 要 is a firm want or a need.

Written with AI, waiting for a teacher's review.

Meaningyāo(verb)

(bound form) to demand; to coerce

Examples

• 老师要求我们按时交作业。

  lǎo shī yāo qiú wǒ men àn shí jiāo zuò yè.

  The teacher requires us to hand in homework on time.

Written with AI, waiting for a teacher's review.