想
to want; to think; to miss
HSK level
- Pinyin
- xiǎng
- Part of speech
- verb
- Level
- HSK 1
- Strokes
- 13
- Register
- neutral
- In episodes
- 5
Stroke order for 想
想 is written with 13 strokes. The animation replays automatically.
What does 想 mean?
想 (xiǎng) is one of the most versatile HSK 1 verbs.
It carries three related senses that English splits across separate words. (1) 'To want to / would like to' — followed by another verb: 我想去 ('I want to go'), 我想吃饭 ('I'd like to eat'). This is softer than 要 (yào, 'want / will'); 想 expresses a wish or inclination, while 要 expresses a firmer want or plan. (2) 'To think (that) / consider' — followed by a thought: 我想这是对的 ('I think this is right').
(3) 'To miss / long for' someone or something: 我想你 ('I miss you'). The same character, same tone — context tells you which sense. Beginners should remember: 想 + verb = want to do something; 想 + person = miss that person; 想 + clause = think that something is the case.
Memory hook: 想 has 心 (heart) on the bottom and 相 (mutual / appearance) on top — your heart pictures something, so you 'think of' / 'want' / 'miss' it.
Hear 想 in real episodes
想 appears in 5 Fluentide podcast episodes at natural native speed, 4 of them below. Each sentence plays at the easiest difficulty it exists in — switch it to hear the same moment at your level, with full pinyin and English throughout.
两年前，公司想做一个新的东西。
Two years ago, the company had a new idea.
Klarna Rehires Humans After AI Replaces 700 Agents
他们想：她会法律。
They thought: she knows the law.
Jury Mistakes Reese Witherspoon for a Real Lawyer
他们想请朋友来，都来家里。
They want to invite their friends over, all of them.
Blue-Dyed Gender-Reveal Doves Found Days Later
农民想了很多年。
The farmer thought about it for many years.
Oregon Barley Field Becomes Wetland for 140 Birds
Example sentences
我想吃中国菜。
Wǒ xiǎng chī Zhōngguó cài.
I'd like to eat Chinese food.
spoken
我想你。
Wǒ xiǎng nǐ.
I miss you.
spoken
我想这本书很好。
Wǒ xiǎng zhè běn shū hěn hǎo.
I think this book is good.
neutral
你想去哪儿？
Nǐ xiǎng qù nǎr?
Where do you want to go?
spoken
Common phrases with 想
Synonyms
要 is a stronger 'want / will / need to.' 我要去 sounds like 'I'm going to go' (decided). 我想去 sounds like 'I'd like to go' (wish). For ordering at a restaurant, 要 is direct ('I'll have…'); 想 is more tentative ('I'd like to try…').
Don't confuse 想 with
FAQ
Related words from the same episodes
Acquire it by listening
Meet 想 again — in real Chinese, at your level.
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