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How to Say ‘I want to; I need to’ in Traditional Chinese

我要

wǒ yào

[waw yao]

💬 Usage Tip: [要] can mean both "want to" and "need to," so [我要...] is flexible and common in real situations. Swap the verb after it: [我要問一下] "I want/need to ask," [我要填資料] "I need to fill in information."

Phrase Breakdown

[waw]

I; me

The first-person pronoun meaning "I" or "me."

Example

我要喝水。

I want to drink water.

yào

[yao]

want; need; going to

Can express desire, need, or future intention depending on context.

Example

我要回家。

I want to go home.

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