需要

Using it is incredibly straightforward. You can put it right after the subject. For example, 我需要水 (I need water). You can also use it before another verb. Try 我需要睡觉 (I need to sleep). It works just like the English word 'need' in most sentences. You can even use it as a noun. An example is 客户的需要 (the customer's needs). It’s a very safe, reliable word for beginners.

Use it whenever you are expressing a requirement. It’s perfect for ordering specific items at a shop. It’s great for explaining your needs to a doctor. Use it in the office to discuss project requirements. Use it with friends when you're tired or hungry. It’s a 'goldilocks' word—not too stiff, not too casual. It fits almost everywhere in daily life.

Don't use 需要 for strong, immediate demands at a restaurant. In those cases, 我要 (I want) is more common and direct. Avoid using it for 'should' or 'ought to.' For those, use 应该 instead. If you are just 'craving' a snack, 想吃 is better. 需要 feels a bit heavy for a simple craving. It implies a real lack that must be filled.

In Chinese culture, being direct about needs can sometimes feel blunt. However, 需要 is considered very polite and clear. It’s much softer than the demanding tone of 必须 (must). Interestingly, the character 需 originally related to rain. It suggested waiting for rain during a drought. This gives the word a sense of 'essential waiting.' It’s about things that are truly vital for growth.

If you want to be very casual, just use 要. If you want to sound more formal, use 需求 (demand/requirement). In a medical or urgent context, you might hear 急需 (urgently need). To ask 'Do you need...?', use the 需不需要 pattern. This 'A-not-A' structure is very common in spoken Chinese. It sounds friendly and gives the other person an easy out.