Modal Verb 想 - Want to/Would like

Using 想 is incredibly straightforward, which is great news for your brain. In English, we have to deal with "to" (as in "I want to eat"). In Chinese, you just drop the "to" entirely. You simply place 想 directly before the main action verb. It acts as an auxiliary or "helping" verb. It modifies the action to show that it is a desire rather than a cold, hard fact. If you say 我吃, you are saying "I eat." If you say 我想吃, you are saying "I want to eat." See how easy that is? It is like adding a layer of "intent" to any sentence. You can use it with almost any action verb you know. The grammar stays the same regardless of who is speaking. There is no conjugation to worry about. 想 looks and sounds the same whether it's "I want," "he wants," or "we want." This simplicity is why many people fall in love with Chinese grammar once they get past the characters.

1. 1Constructing a sentence with 想 follows a very logical path. Follow these steps to build your sentences like a pro:
2. 2Start with your Subject (the person who wants something).
3. 3Add the modal verb 想 immediately after the subject.
4. 4Add your main Verb (the action you want to do).
5. 5Finish with the Object (the thing you are interacting with).
6. 6For a positive sentence: Subject + 想 + Verb + Object.
7. 7Example: 我 + 想 + 喝 + 水 (I want to drink water).
8. 8For a negative sentence: Subject + 不 + 想 + Verb + Object.
9. 9Example: 她 + 不 + 想 + 去 + 学校 (She doesn't want to go to school).
10. 10To ask a question, you have two main options. You can add the question particle 吗 at the end, or use the "A-not-A" pattern.
11. 11Option A: Subject + 想 + Verb + Object + 吗?
12. 12Option B: Subject + 想不想 + Verb + Object?
13. 13Both are perfectly natural and mean the same thing. Think of the "A-not-A" version as a slightly more rhythmic way to ask.

Use 想 when you are expressing a desire that hasn't happened yet. It is perfect for real-world scenarios where you want to be polite.

• Ordering food: Use 我想点... (I'd like to order...) to sound like a civilized diner.
• Planning your day: Tell your friends 我想去博物馆 (I want to go to the museum).
• Discussing future goals: In a job interview, you might say 我想学习新技能 (I want to learn new skills).
• Expressing cravings: When that 3 PM hunger hits, 我想吃点心 (I want to eat a snack) is your best friend.
• Asking directions: Start with 我想去... (I want to go to...) before showing someone your map.

It works best for things you are "thinking of doing" or "desiring." It creates a soft, non-confrontational tone. It is like the grammar equivalent of a gentle suggestion rather than an ultimatum.

Don't use 想 when something is an absolute necessity or a firm requirement. If you are dying of thirst and need water immediately, 想 might feel a bit too weak. In that case, you might switch to 要. Also, be careful not to confuse 想 (the modal verb) with 想 (the main verb meaning "to miss someone"). While 我想你 means "I miss you," adding another verb changes the meaning entirely. If you say 我想见你, it means "I want to see you." Context is usually your best friend here. Also, avoid using 想 for things that are already happening. If you are currently eating an apple, you don't "want" to eat it; you are just doing it! Use it only for that period of time between the thought and the action.

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes—wait, actually, they don't, but beginners do! A very common mistake is putting the negative word in the wrong place. You must say 不想, never 想不. Putting 不 after 想 sounds like you've glitched. Another classic error is adding "to" or extra particles between 想 and the verb. Keep them together like glue!

✗ 我想去到北京 (Wrong use of extra words)

✓ 我想去北京 (Simple and clean)

Also, don't use 没 to negate it. 想 is about a current state of mind or a future desire, so we use 不. Saying 我没想到 means something completely different ("I didn't expect"). Stick to 不想 for "I don't want to." Finally, don't forget the verb! While in English we can say "I want water," in Chinese with this pattern, it’s usually better to say "I want to drink water" (我想喝水). If you just want the object, you'd technically use 想要, but for A1, sticking to 想 + Verb is the safest bet.

The biggest rivalry in Chinese grammar is 想 versus 要. Think of 想 as "I'd like to" and 要 as "I'm going to" or "I must." 想 is a wish; 要 is a plan or a demand. If you say 我想买这件衣服, you are looking at the price tag and dreaming. If you say 我要买这件衣服, you are reaching for your wallet.

Another comparison is 想 versus 觉得 (to feel/think). Use 想 for desires and 觉得 for opinions.

• 我想去 = I want to go.
• 我觉得很好 = I think it's good.

If you get these mixed up, don't sweat it. Most people will still understand you, but using 想 makes you sound much more polite and less like a demanding boss.