Simplified Chinese - Goals

我的主要目标是___。

Wǒ de zhǔyào mùbiāo shì ___.

My main goal is to ___.

Meaning: My main goal is to ___.

When to use: Use this to state your primary goal. You can put a verb phrase or a goal (e.g., 通过考试, 找到工作).

Tip: Beginner mistake: leaving out 是 (e.g. 我主要目标...) — keep 是 for a complete sentence.

我想提高___的水平。

Wǒ xiǎng tígāo ___ de shuǐpíng.

I want to get better at ___.

Meaning: I want to get better at ___.

When to use: Use this to say you want to improve a skill or area, such as 中文, 写作, or 做饭.

我正在努力___。

Wǒ zhèngzài nǔlì ___.

I'm working on ___.

Meaning: I’m working on ___.

When to use: Say this to describe something you are currently making an effort toward; the blank usually takes a verb phrase like 减肥 or 学中文.

我希望有一天能___。

Wǒ xīwàng yǒu yì tiān néng ___.

I hope to ___ someday.

Meaning: I hope to ___ someday.

When to use: Use this to express a long-term hope or dream; the blank usually takes a verb phrase.

将来我想___。

Jiānglái wǒ xiǎng ___.

I'd like to ___ in the future.

Meaning: I'd like to ___ in the future.

When to use: Talk about future ambitions or what you'd like to do later; you can also say 以后我想___.

今年我在努力___。

Jīnnián wǒ zài nǔlì ___.

This year, I'm trying to ___.

Meaning: This year, I'm trying to ___.

When to use: Use this to describe a goal you're focusing on this year; the blank usually takes a verb phrase.

Tip: Sometimes learners use a past-tense idea instead of a present effort; keep it present (我在努力...).

我需要___，这样我就能___。

Wǒ xūyào ___, zhèyàng wǒ jiù néng ___.

I need to ___ so I can ___.

Meaning: I need to ___ so I can ___.

When to use: Use this to explain what you must do and the result you want; both blanks usually take verb phrases.

你接下来有什么打算？

Nǐ jiēxiàlái yǒu shénme dǎsuàn?

What are you hoping to do next?

Meaning: What are you hoping to do next?

When to use: A natural way to ask about someone's next plans or immediate goals.

我还没决定，不过我对___感兴趣。

Wǒ hái méi juédìng, búguò wǒ duì ___ gǎn xìngqù.

I haven't decided yet, but I'm interested in ___.

Meaning: I haven't decided yet, but I'm interested in ___.

When to use: Say this when you're undecided but have an area of interest; the blank often takes a noun or activity.

我的梦想是___。

Wǒ de mèngxiǎng shì ___.

My dream is to ___.

Meaning: My dream is to ___.

When to use: A simple way to state a personal dream or big aspiration.

我打算在___之前___。

Wǒ dǎsuàn zài ___ zhīqián ___.

I'm planning to ___ by ___.

Meaning: I'm planning to ___ by ___.

When to use: Use this to state a planned action with a deadline; the first blank is the time/deadline, the second is the action.

Tip: Students sometimes swap the two blanks; remember the time (deadline) comes before the action in this frame.

我的下一步是___。

Wǒ de xià yí bù shì ___.

My next step is to ___.

Meaning: My next step is to ___.

When to use: Use this to describe the immediate action you will take toward a goal.

现在，我主要专注于___。

Xiànzài, wǒ zhǔyào zhuānzhù yú ___.

Right now, I'm focusing on ___.

Meaning: Right now, I'm focusing on ___.

When to use: Explain your current focus or priority; for simpler speech you can say 现在我主要忙___.