Chinese grammar · Elementary (A2)
Talking about the future
How to talk about the future with time words, 要, 想, 打算, 准备 and 会, how to say “about to” with 要…了 and 快…了, and 将 in writing.
The time word does the work
Chinese verbs have no future form. A time word such as (míngtiān), tomorrow, (xià ge xīngqī), next week, or (yǐhòu), later, goes before the verb, and the verb stays the same: (wǒ míngtiān qù Shànghǎi), I'm going to Shanghai tomorrow. The negative is simply (bù): (wǒ míngtiān bú qù), I'm not going tomorrow.
- 我们下个月搬家。Wǒmen xià ge yuè bānjiā.We're moving next month.
- 周末我在家休息。Zhōumò wǒ zài jiā xiūxi.At the weekend I'm staying at home to rest.
Plans and intentions: 要, 想, 打算, 准备
These words go before the verb, after the subject and the time word. The negative of a plan is usually (bù xiǎng) or (bù dǎsuan). Be careful: (bú yào) means “don't”, not “won't”.
| Word | Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| (yào) | is going to (a firm plan) | (Wǒ xiàwǔ yào qù yínháng.) | I'm going to the bank this afternoon. |
| (xiǎng) | would like to, thinking of | (Wǒ xiǎng míngnián qù Yúnnán lǚxíng.) | I'd like to travel to Yunnan next year. |
| (dǎsuan) | plan to | (Nǐ zhōumò dǎsuan zuò shénme?) | What are you planning to do at the weekend? |
| (zhǔnbèi) | intend to, get ready to | (Wǒ zhǔnbèi shēnqǐng jiǎngxuéjīn.) | I'm going to apply for a scholarship. |
| (huì) | will (a prediction) | (Míngtiān huì xià yǔ.) | It will rain tomorrow. |
Predictions with 会
(huì) + verb says what you think will probably happen, often about the weather or things you can't control. The negative is (bú huì). (de) at the end makes it sound more certain: (tā bú huì lái de), he won't come, I'm sure. (kěnéng), maybe, often comes before .
- 明天可能会下雪。Míngtiān kěnéng huì xià xuě.It might snow tomorrow.
- 别着急，他会来的。Bié zháojí, tā huì lái de.Don't worry, he'll come.
- 如果现在走，就不会迟到。Rúguǒ xiànzài zǒu, jiù bú huì chídào.If we leave now, we won't be late.
About to: 要…了 and 快…了
要…了 and 快要…了 or 快…了 mean that something will happen very soon: (yào xià yǔ le), it's about to rain; (diànyǐng kuài kāishǐ le), the film is about to start. With a time word, use 就要…了: (wǒmen xià ge xīngqī jiù yào huí guó le), we're going home next week.
- 火车快到站了。Huǒchē kuài dào zhàn le.The train is almost at the station.
- 快要放假了。Kuài yào fàngjià le.The holidays are coming soon.
Soon, later, one day
A few time words are especially useful for the future: (mǎshàng), right away; (yíhuìr), in a moment; (yǐhòu), later, in future; and (jiānglái), one day, for bigger plans. They go before the verb, and and are often followed by (jiù).
(děng), wait, + an event + (zài) means “once …, then”: (děng nǐ huílai zài shuō), let's talk about it once you're back.
- 我马上就来。Wǒ mǎshàng jiù lái.I'll be right there.
- 你先坐，我一会儿就好。Nǐ xiān zuò, wǒ yíhuìr jiù hǎo.Have a seat, I'll be ready in a moment.
- 我将来想当医生。Wǒ jiānglái xiǎng dāng yīshēng.One day I'd like to be a doctor.
- 等下了班再说吧。Děng xiàle bān zài shuō ba.Let's talk about it after work.
将 in writing
News, announcements and formal speech use (jiāng) instead of or , often with (yú), at: (dìtiě wǔ hào xiàn jiāng yú míngnián kāitōng), Metro Line 5 will open next year. Understand it when you read or hear it; in conversation use or .
- 本次列车将于十点到达北京。Běn cì lièchē jiāng yú shí diǎn dàodá Běijīng.This train will arrive in Beijing at ten.