Infinitives
Spoken Description
学习汉语时，掌握不定式（如“学习”、“吃饭”）对于动词变位和句子结构至关重要。这篇指南介绍不定式的定义、用法、常见结构和例句，帮助初学者理解和正确使用不定式。
Learn about infinitives (e.g., 'to eat', 'to study') in Chinese, crucial for verb conjugation and sentence structure. This guide covers definitions, usage, typical structures, and examples to help beginners understand and use infinitives correctly.
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在普通话中，动词不定式表达的是动作的基本形式，不带时态或人称；它们在谈论一般活动、意图和愿望时非常有用，可以跟随目的从句或补语。
Infinitives in Mandarin Chinese show the basic form of an action without tense or person; they are useful for talking about general activities, intentions, and desires and can be followed by purpose clauses or complements.
Key Term
The most common way to talk about an infinitive action is to use the verb yào (要) for "to want / to ...," nài for "to," or simply give the verb in its base form when talking about general actions.
我(to want)学中文。
I want to study Chinese.
express 'to want to do something' with yào
To Want
Yào (要) is used to express wanting to do something and is often followed by another verb; it can signal intention or a near-future action.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 要 | yào | to want; to need | |
| 想 | xiǎng | to want; to think; to plan |
我(to want)跟你一起去公园。
I want to go to the park with you.
use xiǎng for desire
To Be Able
Huì (会) expresses ability or learned skill to do something and is followed by the infinitive-form verb; it can also indicate future likelihood.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 会 | huì | can; to be able to; will | |
| 能 | néng | can; to be able to; may |
她(can)说三种语言。
She can speak three languages.
use huì/néng to show ability
To Like
Xǐ huān (喜欢) is used to state liking an activity and is followed by the verb in its base form; it expresses general preference rather than momentary desire.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 喜欢 | xǐ huān | to like | |
| 爱 | ài | to love; to like very much |
他们(to like)唱歌。
They like to sing.
use 喜欢 for general preference
To Need
Xū yào (需要) and děi (得) indicate necessity and are followed by the infinitive-form verb; děi is more colloquial for "have to."
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 需要 | xū yào | to need | |
| 得 | děi | must; to have to |
我们(must)早点出发。
We have to set off early.
use 需要/děi for necessity
Purpose
To express purpose "in order to...," use wèi le (为了) followed by the verb or infinitive action; this phrase links goals to actions clearly.
Summary
Mandarin Chinese uses verbs like yào, huì, xǐ huān, and děi followed by the base-form verb to express infinitives for wanting, ability, liking, and necessity; purpose is shown with wèi le plus the action.
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