Synonyms of “Want” in Chinese

In Chinese, there are 3 common ways to express “want”: 要 yào, 想要 xiǎngyào, and 想 xiǎng. While they can all be translated as “want” or “would like,” the differences lie in how strong the desire is, how certain the speaker is, and who typically uses it.

要 yào — Strongest, most certain

• Certainty: 80% – 99%
• Tone: Firm, direct
• Commonly used by: bosses, parents, teachers, customers
• Use when: You’ve already made a decision and are ready to act, or giving a strong command.

我wǒ要yào學xué中文zhōngwén我wǒ要yào学xué中文zhōngwén
I want to study Chinese.
(This shows a firm decision. The speaker has likely already taken steps or will do so soon.)

我wǒ要yào一yì杯bēi美式咖啡měishìkāfēi我wǒ要yào一yì杯bēi美式咖啡měishìkāfēi
I want one Americano.
(When ordering food, people usually use “要 yào” because the decision has already been made. It’s not considered impolite. On the contrary, if you say “想 xiǎng” the staff might be confused about why you’re unsure about your order.)

老闆lǎobǎn要yào你nǐ去qù辦公室bàngōngshì找zhǎo他tā老板lǎobǎn要yào你nǐ去qù办公室bàngōngshì找zhǎo他tā
The boss wants you to go to his office to see him.

媽媽māma要yào我wǒ待dāi在zài家jiā妈妈māma要yào我wǒ待dāi在zài家jiā
Mom wants me to stay at home.

老師lǎoshī要yào學生xuéshēng寫xiě字zì老师lǎoshī要yào学生xuésheng写xiě字zì
The teacher wants the students to write.

📌 The Chinese word 要 yào is commonly translated as “told” or “asked” in English when used by someone in a position of authority, like a boss, parent, or teacher, because it implies a strong request or command.

想要 xiǎngyào — Moderately strong, clearer desire

• Certainty: 40–70%
• Tone: Expresses a specific desire, but not fully decided
• Commonly used by: friends, coworkers
• Use when: You have a clear wish but may still be thinking about it or facing some obstacles.

我wǒ想要xiǎngyào學xué中文zhōngwén我wǒ想要xiǎngyào学xué中文zhōngwén
I want to study Chinese.
(The desire is there, and the speaker is almost ready to act, but may still have doubts or concerns.)

他tā想要xiǎngyào成為chéngwèi一yì名míng醫生yīshēng他tā想要xiǎngyào成为chéngwèi一yì名míng医生yīshēng
He wants to become a doctor.

我wǒ休息xiūxí時間shíjiān想要xiǎngyào去qù喝hē咖啡kāfēi， 你nǐ去qù嗎ma？ 我wǒ休息xiūxi时间shíjiān想要xiǎngyào去qù喝hē咖啡kāfēi， 你nǐ去qù吗ma？？
I want to grab a coffee during the break. Are you coming?

你nǐ週末zhōumò想要xiǎngyào去qù哪裡nǎlǐ？ 你nǐ周末zhōumò想要xiǎngyào去qù哪里nǎlǐ？
Where would you like to go on the weekend?

你nǐ想要xiǎngyào什麼時候shénme shíhòu見面jiànmiàn？ 你nǐ想要xiǎngyào什么时候shénme shíhou见面jiànmiàn？
When do you want to meet?

想 xiǎng — Softest, just an idea

• Certainty: 10%-40%
• Tone: Polite, casual, or vague
• Commonly used by: children, students, subordinates
• Use when: You’re casually thinking about something or considering it without a firm plan.

我wǒ想xiǎng學xué中文zhōngwén我wǒ想xiǎng学xué中文zhōngwén
I’d like to study Chinese.
(This is more of a general idea — something the speaker is interested in, but hasn’t committed to.)

我wǒ想xiǎng喝hē咖啡kāfēi我wǒ想xiǎng喝hē咖啡kāfēi
I feel like having coffee.

領導lǐngdǎo， 我wǒ今天jīntiān下午xiàwǔ想xiǎng請假qǐngjià领导lǐngdǎo， 我wǒ今天jīntiān下午xiàwǔ想xiǎng请假qǐngjià
Boss, I’d like to take the afternoon off.

媽媽māma， 我wǒ不bù想xiǎng上學shàngxué妈妈māma， 我wǒ不bù想xiǎng上学shàngxué
Mom, I don’t want to go to school.

我wǒ不bù想xiǎng工作gōngzuò， 我wǒ想xiǎng辭職cízhí我wǒ不bù想xiǎng工作gōngzuò， 我wǒ想xiǎng辞职cízhí
I don’t want to work anymore. I want to quit.