Free Mandarin Lesson Bonus:How do you say "WANT" in Chinese Sentences

[seewhychang]

Other examples regarding how to use要 individually are: 我要買電腦 wo3 yao4 mai3 dian4nao3 = I am going to buy a computer. 我要你 wo3 yao4 ni3 = I want you (This sentence is useful if one wants to woo someone else s/he has affectionate feelings for in a VERY DIRECT way.).

[seewhychang]

When要is used individually, it means to want, to be going to conduct an act, depending on the context. So for example, wo3 yao4 dian4nao3我要電腦 (PS.: This sentence is grammatically correct and idiomatic) = I want a computer. Therefore, one can safely say that 要 yao4, when used individually, followed by a NOUN (e.g. an object, a thing or a person etc.), the usage of 要 is the same as that of 想要.

[seewhychang]

我想買電腦 wo3 xiang3 mai3 dian4nao3 = I hope to buy a computer (In the sentence, the person entertains the THOUGHT of buy a computer; whether or not s/he is going to really go and buy a computer is not expressed by the sentence.). 我想你 wo3 xiang3 ni3 = I miss you.

[seewhychang]

When想 is used individually, it means to think, to think of, to miss, to hope to conduct an act, depending on the context. So for example, wo3 xiang3 dian4nao3我想電腦 (PS.: This sentence is grammatically correct but not idiomatic; by idiomatic, I mean it sounds slightly odd and therefore people generally do not use the sentence.) = I think of a computer.

[seewhychang]

Hi pooshXD, It is a good question; thanks! 想 or 要 can be used individually indeed in Chinese. By pairing up the two characters as a compound word, one SPECIFCALLY expresses the desire of obtaining something or conducting an act. For example, wo3 xiang3yao4 dian4nao3我想要電腦 = I want [to obtain] a computer. Wo3 xiang3yao4 mai3 dian4nao3我想要買電腦 = I want to buy a computer.

(to be continued)

[pooshxD]

I have a question. I always used 想 & 要 individually in a sentence. I did not know until now that 想要 could be used as a compound word. So whats the difference when saying 我要電腦，我想電腦，compared to saying 我想要電腦? Does it matter which you use when expressing your desire of wanting something? Thanks

[daniellabesos]

Im loving it, I wait and look forward to your next video. I already know so much!

[dabdadabda]

is ur weatshirt worn inside out? lol your vids r gr8 regardless, and u have such a nice and watchable face and LIPS hehe

[Orienlicious]

very useful and cute!

[seewhychang]

To DesiGirlInCanada: Well done! You have got your perfecr Chinese sentence right there!!! Keep up the good work!

[seewhychang]

In terms of accent, I am not sure I have one. I am inclined to say with utmost humility in mind that I have a respectable accent that is clearly enunciated and universally understandable in the Mandarin-speaking world,

[seewhychang]

To bckwltn: I am from Taiwan and can write Mandarin both in a simplified and traditional form. The reason why I chose to use the simplified form is firstly because my subject view is that t is much easier to master and secondly because the people using the simplified writing system outnumber those using the traditional equivalent.

[bckwltn]

great video. I was wondering if you can make the chinese characters you display bigger so I can see it clearer. Also are you using Simplified or Traditional characters? What kind of Mandarin accent do you have (Shanghai, Beijing, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore....etc)? Thanks again for the lessons.

[DesiGirlInCanada]

wo xiang yao more vids!! (hehe, hope its almost rite)