Difference between 想，要，想要？
What's the difference between

想 xiǎng

要 yào

想要 xiǎngyào ?

In what situations do you use these words?
I think the first one means to like (enjoy, prefer) something eg I like eating ice cream (because it tastes good).
I think the second one means to want (eg in a restaurant you might say "I want fish" (so please bring me fish).
I think the third one means I would like (eg I would like to go on a holiday to the beach)

Is this correct?

I am confused because I think all of them can be used to ask for something.

Thank you for your help.

Question

Difference between 想， 要， 想要？
What's the difference between

想 xiǎng

要 yào

想要 xiǎngyào ?

In what situations do you use these words? 
I think the first one means to like (enjoy, prefer) something eg I like eating ice cream (because it tastes good).
I think the second one means to want (eg in a restaurant you might say "I want fish" (so please bring me fish).
I think the third one means I would like (eg I would like to go on a holiday to the beach)

Is this correct?

I am confused because I think all of them can be used to ask for something.

Thank you for your help.

Answer

想：the idea in the brain, not to put into action
要：The will is stronger than "想“。Have the determination to put into action
想要：Want something with an hesitant attitude

Answer

Mostly, it depends on the rhythm of speech for me to choose words in writing Chinese, which seems a little abstract for a foreigner.
我要告訴你一件事.
我想要用中文說一個故事.
我想每天在愛拓奇網站上用中文說一個故事.
No matter which one (想. 想要. 要) is used in any of the three sentences, it is correct.
However, I express less absolute meaning as more conditions given to the situation.

Answer

in my opinion:
想，just in your mind.maybe you will do nothing to come true .and can use this word  like  ' think'.
要，Something you will do,and know you can come true.
想要，between 想&要，the things you want to.But not sure it will come true? or not.

Answer

想 xiǎng  
some time mean is think，
like：想事情 xiang shi qing  
         think something
some time mean is want，
like：想做什么事情 xiang zuo shen me shi qing
         want to do something
some time mean is miss，
Like： 想你 xiang ni
       Miss you

要 yào
some time mean is need or have to
Like：我要吃食物 wo yao chi shi wu
     I need eat food
     I have to eat food

想要 xiǎngyào ?
It same to “想 xiǎng”， mean is want，
like：想要做什么事情 xiang yao zuo shen me shi qing
         want to do something

Answer

想，this word has different meanings,it depends on the situations you are under. 1,think    2, wanna to do  我想你错了，  i think you are wrong.        我想吃东西，  I wanna to eat 
要，1， need/want  2   be going to do   1,我要一杯茶，   I want a cup of tea     2,   我要上学了   I am gonna to school.
想要， this word also has the same meaning of "want", we can say 想要 is the combination of 想 and 要.

Answers · 9

Still haven’t found your answers?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!