想【xiǎng】

want to, would like to, think, miss, feel like, xiang

HSK 1

AI-generated

Structure

[subject] + 想 + [verb] + [object] [subject] + 不想 + [verb]

Description

想 before a verb means "would like to". It is the soft way of wanting something – a wish rather than a demand.

。

I'd like to go to China.

。

He wants to learn Chinese.

Negation

不想, never 没想. A wish is not an event, so 没 has nothing to negate.

。

I don't want to go.

想 against 要

想 is a wish; 要 is a decision or a demand. In a shop, 我想要一杯咖啡 is polite and 我要一杯咖啡 is an order being placed. Refusing with 我不要 is blunt; 我不想 is softer.

。

I'd like some tea.

。

I'll have a tea.

想 as a full verb

On its own, 想 means "to think" or "to miss someone".

。

I miss my family.

。

Let me think about it.

很想 and 想想

很 strengthens it; doubling the verb softens it.

。

I really want to go.

Examples

。

I'd like a coffee.

。

He wants to go to Beijing.

？

What do you want to eat?

。

I don't want to go.

。

She wants to learn to drive.

。

I want to buy a new phone.

？

Do you want to see a film?

。

I really want to go home.

。

I miss my family.

。

Let me think about it.

。

I want to rest tomorrow.

。

He doesn't want to come with us.

References

Expressing "would like to" with "xiang"resources.allsetlearning.com

怎么样

我 / 你 / 他 / 她 / 它