{"id":6040,"date":"2016-12-01T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-01T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.writtenchinese.com\/?p=6040"},"modified":"2022-06-03T22:21:57","modified_gmt":"2022-06-03T14:21:57","slug":"whats-difference-xiang-yao","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.writtenchinese.com\/whats-difference-xiang-yao\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s the Difference Between \u60f3 (xi\u01ceng) and \u8981 (y\u00e0o)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u8981<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(y\u00e0o)\u00a0meaning \u2018to want\u2019 may have been the first verb you learned when you began your Chinese learning journey. It was for me, and even if I sounded like a 3-year-old child saying \u2018\u6211\u8981<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(w\u01d2 y\u00e0o), \u6211\u8981\u3002\u3002\u3002<\/a><\/span>(w\u01d2 y\u00e0o\u2026)\u2019 all the time, \u8981<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(y\u00e0o)\u00a0gave me the freedom for ask for things I wanted in a supermarket, restaurant or cafe. However, I soon began to hear the sounds of \u60f3<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(xi\u01ceng)\u00a0and, as many beginners of Chinese started to add it to sentences without really being sure how to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a child I was often told \u2018\u201cI want\u201d never gets\u2019, and so instead of saying \u2018I want a bike\u2019 I was taught to say \u2018I would like a bike\u2019, and being a child, I thought I had a larger chance of getting one if I asked politely. This is how I learned to distinguish between \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng) and \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although I have just simplified the differences between \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng) and \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o), below is a fuller explanation of \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng) and \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o) and their brother \u60f3\u8981<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng y\u00e0o) and how to use them correctly in a sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u80fd\u613f\u52a8\u8bcd Auxiliary \u2018Can-Wish\u2019 Verbs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u80fd\u613f\u52a8\u8bcd<\/a><\/span> (n\u00e9ng yu\u00e0n d\u00f2ng c\u00ed) are auxiliary verbs that can be used before verbs and adjectives to express objective possibility or necessity, man\u2019s subjective will and to give <\/a><\/span>opinions, feelings and suggestions<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following characters and bigrams are commonly used auxiliary verbs:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(If you click on the links below, click the \u2018Learn more\u2019 button in our dictionary to get more information about each character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To express possibility: \u80fd<\/a><\/span> (n\u00e9ng), \u80fd\u591f<\/a><\/span> (n\u00e9ng g\u00f2u), \u4f1a<\/a><\/span> (hu\u00ec), \u53ef<\/a><\/span> (k\u011b), \u53ef\u80fd<\/a><\/span> (k\u011b n\u00e9ng), \u53ef\u4ee5<\/a><\/span> (k\u011b y\u01d0), \u5f97\u4ee5<\/a><\/span> (d\u00e9 y\u01d0).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can learn more about \u80fd<\/a><\/span> (n\u00e9ng),  \u4f1a<\/a><\/span> (hu\u00ec) and \u53ef\u4ee5<\/a><\/span> (k\u011b y\u01d0) in our article The 3 Cans: What\u2019s the Difference Between \u4f1a, \u53ef\u4ee5 and \u80fd\uff1f<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To express will: \u613f\u610f<\/a><\/span> (yu\u00e0n y\u00ec), \u4e50\u610f<\/a><\/span> (l\u00e8 y\u00ec), \u60c5\u613f<\/a><\/span> (q\u00edng yu\u00e0n), \u80af<\/a><\/span> (k\u011bn), \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o),  \u613f<\/a><\/span> (yu\u00e0n), \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng), \u60f3\u8981<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng y\u00e0o), \u8981\u60f3<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o xi\u01ceng), \u6562<\/a><\/span> (g\u01cen), \u6562\u4e8e<\/a><\/span> (g\u01cen y\u00fa), \u4e50\u4e8e<\/a><\/span> (l\u00e8 y\u00fa).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To express necessity: \u5e94<\/a><\/span> (y\u012bng), \u5e94\u8be5<\/a><\/span> (y\u012bng g\u0101i), \u5e94\u5f53<\/a><\/span> (y\u012bng d\u0101ng), \u5f97<\/a><\/span> (d\u011bi), \u8be5<\/a><\/span> (g\u0101i), \u5f53<\/a><\/span> (d\u0101ng), \u987b\u5f97<\/a><\/span> (x\u016b d\u011bi), \u72af\u5f97\u7740<\/a><\/span> (f\u00e0n bu zh\u00e1o), \u72af\u4e0d\u7740<\/a><\/span> (f\u00e0n bu zh\u00e1o), \u7406\u5f53<\/a><\/span> (l\u01d0 d\u0101ng).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To express evaluation: \u503c\u5f97<\/a><\/span> (zh\u00ed de), \u4fbf\u4e8e<\/a><\/span> (bi\u00e0n y\u00fa), \u96be\u4e8e<\/a><\/span> (n\u00e1n y\u00fa), \u96be\u4ee5<\/a><\/span> (n\u00e1n y\u01d0), \u6613\u4e8e<\/a><\/span> (y\u00ec y\u00fa).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main function of auxiliary verbs is to modify predicate phrases. The predicate phrase modifies the subject, which is a place, person or thing, so the predicate must either be a verb, or contain a verb in order to make a change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Auxiliary verbs can be used to answer a question without further explanation, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u4f60\u613f\u610f\u5ac1\u7ed9\u6211\u5417<\/a><\/span>\uff1f(n\u01d0 yu\u00e0n y\u00ec ji\u00e0 g\u011bi w\u01d2 ma) Will you marry me?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u613f\u610f<\/a><\/span>. (yu\u00e0n y\u00ec) I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The differences between auxiliary verbs and normal verbs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. There can be no object after auxiliary verbs<\/li>
  2. Auxiliary verbs can not be used with dynamic auxiliary particles such as \u7740<\/a><\/span> (zhe), \u4e86<\/a><\/span> (le) and \u8fc7<\/a><\/span> (gu\u00f2)<\/li>
  3. Two auxiliary verbs can not be used together<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Note: Some auxiliary verbs are also normal verbs, such as \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o). This means that \u60f3\u8981<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng y\u00e0o) is not incorrect. When \u60f3\u8981<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng y\u00e0o) works as an auxiliary verbs, it means \u201cto want to\u201d, but when \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o) works as normal verb, \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng) + \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o) means \u201cwant (to have\/get)\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Use of \u60f3\u8981<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng y\u00e0o): \u6211\u60f3\u8981\u5b66\u6e38\u6cf3<\/a>\u3002 (w\u01d2 xi\u01ceng y\u00e0o xu\u00e9 y\u00f3u y\u01d2ng) I would like to learn swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Use of \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng) + \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o): \u6211\u60f3\u8981\u8fd9\u672c\u4e66<\/a>\u3002 (w\u01d2 xi\u01ceng y\u00e0o zh\u00e8 b\u011bn sh\u016b) I want this book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    X\u4e0d<\/a><\/span>X (X b\u00f9 X) is always used to express doubt or conjecture, for example, \u4f1a\u4e0d\u4f1a<\/a><\/span> (hu\u00ec b\u00fa hu\u00ec) \u2018are you able to?\u2019 and \u53ef(\u4ee5)\u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5<\/a><\/span> (k\u011b y\u01d0 b\u00f9 k\u011b y\u01d0) \u2018Can you or not?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u4f60\u4f1a\u4e0d\u4f1a\u6765<\/a><\/span>\uff1f(n\u01d0 hu\u00ec b\u00fa hu\u00ec l\u00e1i?) Will you come (or not)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201c\u4e0d<\/a><\/span>X\u4e0d<\/a><\/span>\u201d (b\u00f9X<\/span>b\u00f9) is always used to express emphasis or a euphemism, such as \u4e0d\u6562\u4e0d<\/a><\/span> (b\u00f9 g\u01cen b\u00f9) or \u4e0d\u8be5\u4e0d<\/a><\/span> (b\u00f9 g\u0101i b\u00f9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, \u4ed6\u4e0d\u6562\u4e0d\u8bf4\u5b9e\u8bdd<\/a><\/span>\u3002(t\u0101 b\u00f9 g\u01cen b\u00f9 shu\u014d sh\u00ed hu\u00e0) He dare not tell lies. (He has to tell the truth.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Use \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng) and \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o) generally expresses \u2018the will to do something\u2019. \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o) can be expressed negatively by using the following, \u4e0d\u8981<\/a><\/span> (b\u00f9 y\u00e0o), \u4e0d\u60f3<\/a><\/span> (b\u00f9 xi\u01ceng) and \u4e0d\u6253\u7b97<\/a><\/span> (b\u00f9 d\u01ce su\u00e0n).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng) expresses \u2018desire or wish\u2019 to do something and to have an \u2018intention\u2019 to complete the action, but may not do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u4f60\u60f3\u53bb\u56fe\u4e66\u9986\u5417<\/a><\/span>\uff1f(n\u01d0 xi\u01ceng q\u00f9 t\u00fa sh\u016b gu\u01cen ma) Do you want to go the library?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u5929\u592a\u51b7\u4e86\uff0c\u6211\u8981\u53bb\u4e70\u4ef6\u5916\u5957<\/a><\/span>\u3002(ti\u0101n t\u00e0i l\u011bng le, w\u01d2 y\u00e0o q\u00f9 m\u01cei ji\u00e0n w\u00e0i t\u00e0o) It is too cold, I want to go and buy a coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Compared to \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o), \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng) emphasizes personal will. We can add an adverb to express strong will, or add \u6709(\u4e00)\u70b9\u513f<\/a><\/span> (y\u01d2u y\u012b di\u01cenr) to express a lesser desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sometimes, \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng) and \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o) can replace each other, but in the following situations, cannot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Degree adverb (\u5f88<\/a><\/span> (h\u011bn) \/\u771f<\/a><\/span> (zh\u0113n)\/ \u53ea<\/a><\/span> (zh\u01d0)) + \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      \u6211<\/a><\/span>\u5f88<\/a><\/span>\u60f3\u5b66\u753b\u753b<\/a><\/span>\u3002(w\u01d2 h\u011bn xi\u01ceng xu\u00e9 hu\u00e0 hu\u00e0)  I want to learn painting very much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Persistent adverbs of time + \u60f3<\/a><\/span> (xi\u01ceng)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        \u6211<\/a><\/span>\u5f88\u4e45\u4ee5\u524d<\/a><\/span>\u5c31\u60f3\u53bb\u51b0\u5c9b\u5b8c\u4e86<\/a><\/span>\u3002(w\u01d2 h\u011bn ji\u01d4 y\u01d0 qi\u00e1n ji\u00f9 xi\u01ceng q\u00f9 b\u012bng d\u01ceo w\u00e1n le) I have wanted to travel Iceland for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Adverbs of strong will (\u4e00\u5b9a<\/a><\/span> (y\u012b d\u00ecng)\/\u504f<\/a><\/span> (pi\u0101n) \/ \u975e<\/a><\/span> (f\u0113i)…\u4e0d\u53ef<\/a><\/span> (b\u00f9 k\u011b)) + \u8981<\/a><\/span> (y\u00e0o)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          \u4f60<\/a><\/span>\u4e00\u5b9a<\/a><\/span>\u8981\u6765\u770b\u6211<\/a><\/span>\u3002(n\u01d0 y\u012b d\u00ecng y\u00e0o l\u00e1i k\u00e0n w\u01d2) You must come and look me up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Exercises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Use the following characters to fill in the gaps and make a sentence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \u60f3     \u8981      \u4f1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          1. \u4ed6\u8eab\u4f53\u4e0d\u8212\u670d\uff0c\u6240\u4ee5\u4eca\u5929\u4e0d______\u6765\u4e86\u3002 He does not feel well, so he will not come today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          2. \u4e0b\u5468\u6709\u6bd4\u8d5b\uff0c\u6211_____\u53bb\u6e38\u6cf3\u9986\u7ec3\u4e60\u3002 There will be swimming competition next week, so I will go to the swimming pool to practise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          3. \u6211\u5f88_____\u53bb\u6e38\u4e50\u573a\u3002 I really want to go to the playground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          \u8981\u00a0(y\u00e0o)\u00a0meaning \u2018to want\u2019 may have been the first verb you learned when you began your Chinese learning journey. It was for me, and even if I sounded like a 3-year-old child saying \u2018\u6211\u8981\u00a0(w\u01d2 y\u00e0o), \u6211\u8981\u3002\u3002\u3002(w\u01d2 y\u00e0o\u2026)\u2019 all the time, \u8981\u00a0(y\u00e0o)\u00a0gave me the freedom for ask for things I wanted in a supermarket, restaurant or cafe…. Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6041,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[142,3],"tags":[233,407],"class_list":["use-editor no-single","post-6040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-learner-tips","tag-grammar","tag-want"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat's the Difference Between \u60f3 (xi\u01ceng) and \u8981 (y\u00e0o)?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn the differences between \u60f3 (xiang) and \u8981 (yao) and how to use them correctly in a sentence. 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