The modal verb 要

In Chinese, 要 (yào) stands before a verb and expresses wanting or planning to do something.

In English it is usually rendered as “be going to …” or “want to …”.

Basic structure

Subject + 要 + verb

Meaning: someone is going to do something.

他(Tā)今(jīn)天(tiān)要(yào)和(hé)小(xiǎo)朋(péng)友(you)玩(wán)。

He wants to play with the other kids today.

他 + 今天 + 要 + 和小朋友玩 he + today + is going to + play with the kids

他(tā)he

今(jīn)天(tiān)today

要(yào)be going to

和(hé)小(xiǎo)朋(péng)友(you)玩(wán)play with the kids

Here 要 expresses today's plan or wish.

妈(Mā)妈(ma)要(yào)去(qù)超(chāo)市(shì)。

Mum is going to the supermarket.

妈妈 + 要 + 去超市 mum + is going to + go to the supermarket

妈(mā)妈(ma)mum

要(yào)be going to

去(qù)超(chāo)市(shì)go to the supermarket

白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)要(yào)在(zài)家(jiā)里(lǐ)学(xué)中(Zhōng)文(wén)。

Bai Jiayue is going to study Chinese at home.

白家月 + 要 + 在家里 + 学中文 Bai Jiayue + is going to + at home + study Chinese

白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)Bai Jiayue

要(yào)be going to

在(zài)家(jiā)里(lǐ)at home

学(xué)中(Zhōng)文(wén)study Chinese

要 + verb

Meaning: it expresses the wish or the plan to do something.

Examples:

要(yào)和(hé)小(xiǎo)朋(péng)友(you)玩(wán)

be going to play with the kids

要(yào)去(qù)超(chāo)市(shì)

be going to the supermarket

要(yào)在(zài)家(jiā)里(lǐ)学(xué)中(Zhōng)文(wén)

be going to study Chinese at home