Chinese word

需要

Pronunciation

Pinyinxū yào

Meaning

  • verbneed

Example

我需要休息。wǒ xū yào xiū xī

I need to rest.

Illustration for 需要 (need)

More examples

她现在需要帮助。tā xiàn zài xū yào bāng zhù

She needs help now.

Core concept

A person, plan, or situation cannot proceed normally without the thing or action connected to it.

Common phrases

  • 需要帮助xū yào bāng zhù

    need help

  • 需要练习xū yào liàn xí

    need practice

  • 需要休息xū yào xiū xī

    need rest

Similar words

要yào: Marks something or an action as needed in a straightforward way.
应该yīng gāi: Recommends that someone take a certain action.
必须bì xū: Requires a certain action because the need for it is especially strong.

Definition in Chinese

表示个人或情境上有获得某物或采取某行动的必要，常作动词使用。biǎo shì gè rén huò qíng jìng shàng yǒu huò dé mǒu wù huò cái qǔ mǒu xíng dòng de bì yào cháng zuò dòng cí shǐ yòng

Word origin

The compound 需 (xū, "require") + 要 (yào, "want or need") presents necessity through two closely related ideas, linking the verb sense with the noun sense of a requirement or demand.

Usage tips

  • Chinese uses this word for practical requirements in notices, plans, and services as well as for personal necessities, so the subject need not be a person.

Other meanings

  • necessitynoun
  • demandnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word