Skip to content

Various ways to say “I need” in Chinese

The common expressions and their uses in sentences

我需要…… (wǒ xūyào ……)

      

“需要” literally translates to “need” in English. This is the most common and straightforward way to say “I need” in Chinese.

e.g.

我需要帮助。 (Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù.) I need help.

我需要休息。 (Wǒ xūyào xiūxí.) I need rest.

我需要一些时间。 (Wǒ xūyào yīxiē shíjiān.) I need some time.

我需要做家务。 (Wǒ xūyào zuò jiāwù.) I need to do housework.

我要…… (wǒ yào ……)

      

This phrase can also mean “I need,” but it can imply a stronger desire or intention, similar to “I want.”

e.g.

我要喝水。 (Wǒ yào hē shuǐ.) I need to drink water.

我要去洗手间。 (Wǒ yào qù xǐshǒujiān.) I need to go to the restroom.

我要学习。 (Wǒ yào xuéxí.) I need to study.

我要做一个决定。 (Wǒ yào zuò yīgè juédìng.) I need to make a decision.

The extended phrases to express “I need” in Chinese

我得…… (wǒ děi ……)

      

This phrase means “I have to” or “I need to,” indicating a necessity or obligation. It’s often used in spoken Chinese.

e.g.

我得去上班。 (Wǒ děi qù shàngbān.) I need to go to work.

我得早点睡觉。 (Wǒ děi zǎodiǎn shuìjiào.) I need to go to bed early.

我得完成这个任务。 (Wǒ děi wánchéng zhège rènwù.) I need to finish this task.

我必须…… (wǒ bìxū ……)

      

This phrase means “I must” or “I need to,” and it is stronger than “我得.”

e.g.

我必须做功课。 (Wǒ bìxū zuò gōngkè.) I need to do my homework.

我必须告诉你一个秘密。 (Wǒ bìxū gàosù nǐ yīgè mìmì.) I need to tell you a secret.

我必须离开这里。 (Wǒ bìxū líkāi zhèlǐ.) I need to leave here.

我急需…… (wǒ jíxū……)

      

This phrase means “I urgently need,” indicating an immediate need.

e.g.

我急需你的帮助。 (Wǒ jíxū nǐ de bāngzhù.) I urgently need your help.

我急需这份文件。 (Wǒ jíxū zhè fèn wénjiàn.) I urgently need this document.

我急需找个医生。 (Wǒ jíxū zhǎo gè yīshēng.) I urgently need to find a doctor.

Online Chinese Tutors

  • 1:1 online tutoring
  • 100% native professional tutors
  • For all levels
  • Flexible schedule
  • More effective
Learn more
Dig Mandarin

This Post Has 0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back To Top