<p>喜欢(xi3 huan1) means to <em>like</em></p>

<p>要(yao4) tends to realize the action</p>

<p>想(xiang3) means to <em>want</em>, but you don't have to realize it. Sometimes it is just an expression of your desire.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-11T13:59:04.973Z
2016-02-11T18:13:38.837Z
2016-02-11T18:13:38.837Z
Zhu Yusheng
<p>Could someone explain to explain me the difference between the three verbs
喜欢 (<em>xihuan</em>), 要 (<em>yao</em>), and 想 (<em>xiang</em>)?</p>

<ul>
<li><p>我喜欢喝一杯啤酒。 (<em>wo xihuan he yi bei pi jiu</em>)</p></li>
<li><p>我要喝一杯啤酒。 (<em>wo yao he yi bei pi jiu</em>)</p></li>
<li><p>我想喝一杯啤酒。 (<em>wo xiang he yi bei pi jiu</em>)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>When do I have to use it?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-11T13:21:06.747Z
consult grammar on modal verbs (能愿动词）表示意愿的：要、想、愿意、肯、敢，and dictionary on verb 喜欢
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-11T16:54:59.117Z
the first sentence doesn't make sense. it should be "我wo3喜xi3欢huan1喝he1啤pi2酒jiu3", which means _I like drinking beer_. Your original sentence "我喜欢喝一杯啤酒" means _I like drinking one glass of beer_ (not two glasses, not three glasses, I like drinking exactly one glass of beer)  the last two sentences, however, sounds correct to me.
zypA13510
<difference><verbs>
Differences between 喜欢, 要, and 想?
# Differences between 喜欢, 要, and 想?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-02-11)

Could someone explain to explain me the difference between the three verbs
喜欢 (*xihuan*), 要 (*yao*), and 想 (*xiang*)?

* 我喜欢喝一杯啤酒。 (*wo xihuan he yi bei pi jiu*)
* 我要喝一杯啤酒。 (*wo yao he yi bei pi jiu*)
* 我想喝一杯啤酒。 (*wo xiang he yi bei pi jiu*)

When do I have to use it?

**Tags:** difference, verbs

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: consult grammar on modal verbs (能愿动词）表示意愿的：要、想、愿意、肯、敢，and dictionary on verb 喜欢  
> **username_2**: the first sentence doesn't make sense. it should be "我wo3喜xi3欢huan1喝he1啤pi2酒jiu3", which means _I like drinking beer_. Your original sentence "我喜欢喝一杯啤酒" means _I like drinking one glass of beer_ (not two glasses, not three glasses, I like drinking exactly one glass of beer)  the last two sentences, however, sounds correct to me.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-02-11. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

喜欢(xi3 huan1) means to *like*

要(yao4) tends to realize the action

想(xiang3) means to *want*, but you don't have to realize it. Sometimes it is just an expression of your desire.


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