How to Write 要
The character 要 (yāo) is written with 9 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 覀 is one of its key components.
Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.
Meaning & Pronunciation
要 is pronounced yāo in Mandarin Chinese. It means To want / Must / Important.
This is a polyphonic character with readings: yāo, yào.
As an HSK Level 1 character, 要 is among the first characters beginners learn.
Common Words with 要
Example Sentences
我想要买一本关于编程的新书。
wǒ xiǎng yào mǎi yī běn guān yú biān chéng de xīn shū
I want to buy a new book about programming.
老师要求大家必须按时上交作业。
lǎo shī yāo qiú dà jiā bì xū àn shí shàng jiāo zuò yè
The teacher required everyone to submit their homework on time.
我们绝不会屈服于任何人的无理要挟。
wǒ men jué bú huì qū fú yú rèn hé rén de wú lǐ yāo xié
We will never yield to anyone's unreasonable blackmail.
他向组织提出了加入党派的要求。
tā xiàng zǔ zhī tí chū le jiā rù dǎng pài de yāo qiú
He submitted a request to the organization to join the party.
Practice Writing 要 (yāo)
Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 要 with real-time feedback.