要
我想要一杯咖啡。
I want a cup of coffee.
To desire or wish for something; to need or require something.
你要什么？
What do you want?
他要一张地图。
He wants a map.
Can be used to express a desire, request, or necessity.
To be about to; to be on the verge of doing something.
他要哭了。
He is about to cry.
天要下雨了。
It is about to rain.
Used to indicate an imminent action or event.
To need or require (used in formal or official contexts).
根据法律，你要提供证据。
According to the law, you need to provide evidence.
Often used in legal or administrative contexts.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage in Questions
'要' is commonly used in questions to ask about desires or intentions, such as '你要什么？' (What do you want?).
Gold Rule
Imminent Actions
'要' can indicate an imminent action, e.g., '他要走了' (He is about to leave).
Word Origin
The character '要' is composed of '讠' (speech radical) and '肖' (resembling), originally meaning 'to ask for' or 'to demand'. Over time, it evolved to express desire or necessity.
Usage Notes
In modern Chinese, '要' is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from casual requests to formal requirements. It is often used with directional complements like '去' (go) or '做' (do) to express intentions.