31
The modal verb 要: want to, be going to
From the lesson “I'm studying at university”
Structure
Subject + 要 + Verb (+ Object)
能愿动词“要”在动词前，表示想做、打算做。 要 before a verb says that you want to do something or have decided to do it: 他今天要和小朋友玩 (He's going to play with his friends today). It is stronger and more definite than 想.
Examples
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他今天要和小朋友玩。
Tā jīntiān yào hé xiǎopéngyǒu wán.
He's going to play with his friends today.
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妈妈要去超市。
Māma yào qù chāoshì.
Mom is going to the supermarket.
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白家月要在家里学中文。
Bái Jiāyuè yào zài jiā li xué Zhōngwén.
Bai Jiayue is going to study Chinese at home.