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How to Say ‘Want’ in Traditional Chinese

想要

xiǎng yào

[xiǎng yào]

💬 Usage Tip: [想要] is a very common way to say you want something or want to do something: [我想要訂位], [我想要一杯水]. In polite service situations, [想] alone is also common and a bit lighter.

Phrase Breakdown

想要

xiǎng yào

[xiǎng yào]

want; would like

An expression of desire or interest to do something.

Example

我想要點一杯咖啡。

I would like to order a cup of coffee.

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