In the lesson about Ordering drinks and Plane tickets, we used:
我要一杯中国茶 = I want to have a cup of cofee
我要买。。。 = I want to buy...
However, in Planing a Trip we use:
我想去。。。 = I want to go to...
What is the difference between those two words? (想 and 要）, how do we know when to use which?
Difference between 要 and 想?
I'm just learning this like you are, but I thought I'd take a crack at it.
I believe that 要 is used when you are making a request for something you want or need, while 想 is used to indicate that you wish to, or have a desire to do something.
For example:
I want a pound of bananas - use 要: 我要一 斤 香 蕉。
I want to study Chinese – use 想: 我想学汉语。
I think that's right, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
I believe that 要 is used when you are making a request for something you want or need, while 想 is used to indicate that you wish to, or have a desire to do something.
For example:
I want a pound of bananas - use 要: 我要一 斤 香 蕉。
I want to study Chinese – use 想: 我想学汉语。
I think that's right, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Yes DboP nailed it. 想 is not as strong of desire to do something, so you are thinking to do something but you haven't decided. 要 is much more certain and you are pretty sure you want it.
Additionally there are a couple differences:
我想一斤香蕉: i MISS a jin of bananas
我要一斤香蕉： i want a jin of bananas
compare first one to:
我想吃一斤香蕉： i wish/want to eat a jin of bananas.
you see? if 想 is not followed by another verb then it changes meaning "to miss"
Additionally there are a couple differences:
我想一斤香蕉: i MISS a jin of bananas
我要一斤香蕉： i want a jin of bananas
compare first one to:
我想吃一斤香蕉： i wish/want to eat a jin of bananas.
you see? if 想 is not followed by another verb then it changes meaning "to miss"
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