Traditional Chinese - Wants and Needs

我想要 ___

Wǒ xiǎng yào ___.

I want ___.

Meaning: 我想要 ___。 (Wǒ xiǎng yào ___.) means “I want ___.” Use it before a thing you want.

When to use: Use this when choosing food, drinks, items, or simple options. It sounds softer than 我要 (wǒ yào).

Tip: Don’t translate word by word from English and add 是 (shì). Say 我想要一杯水 (Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi shuǐ), not 我是想要一杯水.

我想要 ___

Wǒ xiǎng yào ___.

I want to ___.

Meaning: 我想要 ___。 (Wǒ xiǎng yào ___.) can also mean “I want to ___” when the blank is an action.

When to use: Use it before an action like 吃 (chī), 喝 (hē), 買 (mǎi), or 休息 (xiūxí).

我不想要 ___。

Wǒ bù xiǎng yào ___.

I don't want ___.

Meaning: 我不想要 ___。 (Wǒ bù xiǎng yào ___.) means “I don’t want ___.”

When to use: Use it to refuse something gently or say something is unwanted.

Tip: Put 不 (bù) before 想要 (xiǎng yào): 我不想要 (Wǒ bù xiǎng yào), not 我想要不.

我需要 ___

Wǒ xūyào ___.

I need ___.

Meaning: 我需要 ___。 (Wǒ xūyào ___.) means “I need ___.” Use it before a thing you need.

When to use: Use it when you need something practical, like water, help, a bag, or a receipt.

我需要 ___

Wǒ xūyào ___.

I need to ___.

Meaning: 我需要 ___。 (Wǒ xūyào ___.) can also mean “I need to ___” when the blank is an action.

When to use: Use it before an action you must do, like rest, go, buy, or call someone.

可以給我 ___ 嗎？

Kěyǐ gěi wǒ ___ ma?

Can I have ___?

Meaning: 可以給我 ___ 嗎？ (Kěyǐ gěi wǒ ___ ma?) means “Can I have ___?”

When to use: Use it to ask politely for something in a café, shop, restaurant, or home.

Tip: Remember 嗎 (ma) at the end for a yes/no question.

我想要 ___

Wǒ xiǎng yào ___.

I would like ___.

Meaning: 我想要 ___。 (Wǒ xiǎng yào ___.) can mean “I would like ___” in everyday polite situations.

When to use: Use it when ordering or choosing something. It is polite enough for many daily service situations in Taiwan.

你想要 ___ 嗎？

Nǐ xiǎng yào ___ ma?

Do you want ___?

Meaning: 你想要 ___ 嗎？ (Nǐ xiǎng yào ___ ma?) means “Do you want ___?”

When to use: Use it to offer something or ask about someone’s choice.

你需要 ___ 嗎？

Nǐ xūyào ___ ma?

Do you need ___?

Meaning: 你需要 ___ 嗎？ (Nǐ xūyào ___ ma?) means “Do you need ___?”

When to use: Use it to check if someone needs something or needs to do something.

你想要什麼

Nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?

What do you want?

Meaning: 你想要什麼？ (Nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?) means “What do you want?”

When to use: Use it when asking someone to choose. It sounds softer than 你要什麼？ (Nǐ yào shénme?) in many casual situations.

我可以試一下___嗎？

Wǒ kěyǐ shì yíxià ___ ma?

Can I try ___?

Meaning: 我可以試一下 ___ 嗎？ (Wǒ kěyǐ shì yíxià ___ ma?) means “Can I try ___?”

When to use: Use it when asking permission to try something, like a sample, clothing, or a product.

我們___吧

Wǒmen ___ ba.

Let's ___.

Meaning: 我們 ___ 吧。 (Wǒmen ___ ba.) means “Let’s ___.”

When to use: Use it to make a simple, friendly suggestion.

Tip: Put 吧 (ba) at the end to make the suggestion sound softer.

請再給我一點

Qǐng zài gěi wǒ yìdiǎn.

More, please.

Meaning: 請再給我一點。 (Qǐng zài gěi wǒ yìdiǎn.) means “More, please.”

When to use: Use it when asking for a little more food, drink, sauce, ice, or another amount.