Chinese verb · modal · first needed at beginner level (A1)
想
xiǎng
to want to; to think; to miss
+ verb is a soft “would like to” ( (wǒ xiǎng hē chá)), gentler than (yào). With a person or place it means “to miss” ( (wǒ xiǎng nǐ), (xiǎng jiā)), and on its own “to think”.
Speed:
Basic
基本
+ verb: what you would like to do.
| affirmative | 我想喝咖啡。Wǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不想喝咖啡。Wǒ bù xiǎng hē kāfēi. | |
| question | 你想喝咖啡吗？Nǐ xiǎng hē kāfēi ma? |
Completed
了
+ person or place + 了: missing someone or home.
| affirmative | 我想家了。Wǒ xiǎng jiā le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我一点儿也不想家。Wǒ yìdiǎnr yě bù xiǎng jiā. | |
| question | 你想家了吗？Nǐ xiǎng jiā le ma? |
Experience
过
(xiǎngguo): have thought about something.
| affirmative | 我想过这个问题。Wǒ xiǎngguo zhège wèntí. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没想过这个问题。Wǒ méi xiǎngguo zhège wèntí. | |
| question | 你想过这个问题吗？Nǐ xiǎngguo zhège wèntí ma? |
In progress
在
(zài xiǎng): thinking right now.
| affirmative | 我在想明天的事。Wǒ zài xiǎng míngtiān de shì. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没在想明天的事。Wǒ méi zài xiǎng míngtiān de shì. | |
| question | 你在想什么？Nǐ zài xiǎng shénme? |
Future and intention
要 / 会
(huì xiǎng): will miss someone.
| affirmative | 我会想你的。Wǒ huì xiǎng nǐ de. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不会想他的。Wǒ bú huì xiǎng tā de. | |
| question | 你会想我吗？Nǐ huì xiǎng wǒ ma? |
Result
结果补语
(xiǎnghǎo): have decided; (xiǎng bu qǐlai): can't remember.
| affirmative | 我想好了。Wǒ xiǎnghǎo le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我还没想好。Wǒ hái méi xiǎnghǎo. | |
| question | 你想好了吗？Nǐ xiǎnghǎo le ma? | |
| can't | 我想不起来。Wǒ xiǎng bu qǐlai. |
Examples
- 我想去中国旅游。Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó lǚyóu.I'd like to travel to China.
- 你在想什么？Nǐ zài xiǎng shénme?What are you thinking about?
- 妈妈，我想你了。Māma, wǒ xiǎng nǐ le.Mum, I miss you.