Auxiliary verb "yao" and its multiple meanings

Nível: HSK 2 | Categoria: Gramática

            Fórmula Sintática: Subj. + 要 + Noun
          

Explicação da Regra:

You probably already know the basic meaning of 要 (yào) as "to want." It is actually a quite versatile word, though, and can also take on the meanings of "to need" as well as "will (do something)." In every case, context is crucial for figuring out which meaning someone is trying to express. This structure could be used when ordering food at a restaurant or a shop. Here, it's being used for saying that you want something. Subj. + 要 + Noun • 你要什么？Nǐ yào shénme? What do you want? • 我要一杯水。Wǒ yào yī bēi shuǐ.I want a cup of water. • 你们都要冰可乐吗？Nǐmen dōu yào bīng kělè ma? Do you all want coke with ice? • 你要茶还是咖啡？Nǐ yào chá háishì kāfēi? Do you want tea or coffee? • 我们要三碗米饭。Wǒmen yào sān wǎn mǐfàn.We want three bowls of rice.

Exemplos com Falantes Nativos:

你要什么？ (nǐ yào shíyāo ？): "what would you like?"
我要一杯水。 (wǒ yào yī bēi shǔi 。): "I want a glass of water."
你们都要冰可乐吗？ (nǐmen dū yào bīng kělè ma ？): "Do you all need ice cola?"
你要茶还是咖啡？ (nǐ yào chá huánshì kāfēi ？): "Do you want tea or coffee?"

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