soeng2想
Jyutpingsoeng2
Yaleséung
Definition
To want, hope, or wish for something to happen.
colloquialdaily actionsemotion
How it's used
Expresses both a desire for an action and a hope for a future outcome. When used to express longing or missing someone, it is often paired with the particle 念 to form 想念, though in casual speech, just using 想 followed by the person is perfectly natural. It functions as a modal verb that precedes other verbs to indicate intention or preference.
Examples
Where do you want to go eat later?
I really want to get off work soon and go home to rest.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 想 with 要. While 想 expresses a wish or preference, 要 implies a stronger sense of demand, necessity, or a definite plan.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
