想

xiǎng

modal verb

Xiǎng 想 ‘would like to, want to’ is a modal verb that always combines with another verb. It is usually used to express willingness or intention.

Basic form

Like other modal verbs, xiǎng 想 is generally placed before the verb it refers to.

Negation

Xiǎng 想 can be negated by the negative adverb bù 不, which must be placed before xiǎng 想.

Question

There are two ways to ask questions with xiǎng 想. One is to add the question particle ma 吗/嗎 at the end of the sentence.

The other is to use the “modal verb bù 不 modal verb” structure before the verb.

With adverbs

Adverbs, such as hěn 很 ‘very’ and zhǐ 只 ‘only’, usually need to be placed before xiǎng 想.

With verbs preceded by a prepositional phrase

Like other modal verbs, when a verb is preceded by a prepositional phrase, xiǎng 想 should be placed before this phrase.

When there is no particular emphasis, the typical place of a time noun is before xiǎng 想. Otherwise, the time expression is placed after xiǎng 想.

Functions

Xiǎng 想 expressing willingness or intention

Xiǎng 想 ‘would like to, want to’ expresses willingness or intention, often indicating a desire to do something or inquiring about someone else’s intention or willingness.

Degree adverbs and adverbial phrases, such as hěn 很 ‘very’, bú tài 不太 ‘not very’ or zhēn 真 ‘really’ are placed before xiǎng 想 to indicate the degree of intention or willingness.