要, 想, and 可以
Make practical requests, wants, and permission sentences with three starter modal verbs.
Pattern
要/想/可以 + verb phrase
Use 要 for need/want, 想 for would like, and 可以 for permission or possibility.
我想喝茶。
When to use 要, 想, and 可以
要 is direct and can mean want or need. 想 is softer and more like “would like.” 可以 asks or grants permission and possibility.
你要买什么？
What do you want to buy?
这里可以坐吗？
May I sit here?
我要一杯水。
I want a glass of water.
我们可以进去。
We can go in.
Common traps
- Do not translate every “can” as 会; permission often uses 可以.
- Bare 要 can sound direct in requests.
- Put the main verb after the modal.
Targeted drill
Practice this exact pattern before moving on.
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