I want in Chinese

How to write 我要

Animated stroke order. Tap a character to replay its stroke order.

我要 is written entirely with characters at HSK 1 level or below. The beginner band covers the first, most essential words every learner needs.

我要 in a sentence

• 我wǒ要yào一yī杯bēi咖kā啡fēi。

  I want a cup of coffee.

• 我wǒ要yào回huí家jiā了le。

  I am going home.

• 我wǒ要yào学xué中zhōng文wén。

  I want to learn Chinese.

我要 vs 我想 vs 需要

Similar and easily confused words, and how they differ.

• 我想 wǒ xiǎng I would like; I think

  The softer version — 我想去 'I'd like to go'. 我要 is blunt 'I want': fine for ordering, strong for demands.

• 需要 xū yào to need

  Formal or impersonal 'need' — 我需要帮助 'I need help', 需要时间 'it takes time'.