yào

崾

Character · Adjective · Verb · Auxiliary verb · ConjunctionTraditional要

important; want; will; should

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

5 senses · 10 examples
1.

adjective

important; significant; essential

neutral

Used to describe things of major significance. Often appears in formal or written contexts.

Zhè这
shì是
yī一
jiàn件
yào要
jǐn紧
de的
shì事
 。

This is an important matter.

Tā他
bǎ把
yào要
diǎn点
dōu都
jì记
xià下
lái来
le了
 。

He wrote down all the main points.

2.

verb

to want; to wish; to desire

neutral

Expresses a wish or desire. Often used with objects or verb phrases.

Wǒ我
yào要
hē喝
shuǐ水
 。

I want to drink water.

Nǐ你
yào要
shén什
me么
lǐ礼
wù物
 ?

What gift do you want?

3.

auxiliary verb

will; shall; be going to

neutral

Indicates future tense or inevitable outcome. Used before verbs.

Míng明
tiān天
yào要
xià下
yǔ雨
le了
 。

It's going to rain tomorrow.

Tā他
jiù就
yào要
bì毕
yè业
le了
 。

He is about to graduate.

4.

auxiliary verb

must; should; need to

neutral

Expresses necessity or obligation. Often used in warnings, advice, or rules.

Nǐ你
yào要
hǎo好
hǎo好
xué学
xí习
 。

You must study hard.

Guò过
mǎ马
lù路
yào要
xiǎo小
xīn心
 。

You need to be careful when crossing the street.

5.

conjunction

if; suppose; in case

literary

Introduces a hypothetical condition. Often used in formal or literary contexts.

Nǐ你
yào要
bù不
lái来
 ,
wǒ我
men们
jiù就
xiān先
zǒu走
le了
 。

If you don't come, we'll leave first.

Yào要
shì是
wǒ我
yǒu有
qián钱
 ,
wǒ我
jiù就
mǎi买
nà那
liàng辆
chē车
 。

If I had money, I would buy that car.