需要: Needing Something or an Action in Chinese
需要
需要 states that a person or situation needs an object, condition, or action. It comes before its noun or verb-phrase complement. To deny the need, place 不 before 需要. Keep negation outside the following action instead of inserting it between that action and its object. With nouns it names required resources; with verb phrases it names actions that must occur.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject + 不需要 / 需要 + Noun or Verb phrase
Read the structure
需要 states that a person or situation needs an object, condition, or action. It comes before its noun or verb-phrase complement. To deny the need, place 不 before 需要. Keep negation outside the following action instead of inserting it between that action and its object. With nouns it names required resources; with verb phrases it names actions that must occur. Keep the model Subject + 不需要 / 需要 + Noun or Verb phrase visible while you compare each sentence.
她生病了，需要休息。
She is ill and needs to rest.
Choose the right context
State a need for an object: 我需要帮助。 State a necessary action: 她需要休息。 Deny a present or general need with 不需要.
我们需要更多时间。
We need more time.
Respect the boundary
Do not use 需要 merely to say someone can perform an action. Do not place 需要 after its complement. Do not put 不 inside an inseparable verb-object phrase after 需要.
她需要吗休息？
(Does she need question-particle rest?)
Repair the pattern
The question particle splits 需要 from its complement: Sentence-final 吗 cannot split 需要 from its required complement 休息. Negation is inserted inside the verb-object phrase: To deny the need, 不 belongs before 需要; it cannot split 买票.
她需要休息吗？
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
她生病了，需要休息。
She is ill and needs to rest.
她
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
生病
不需要 / 需要
This part occupies the 不需要 / 需要 position in the model pattern.
了
Noun or Verb phrase
This part occupies the Noun or Verb phrase position in the model pattern.
，
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
需要
不需要 / 需要
This part occupies the 不需要 / 需要 position in the model pattern.
休息
Noun or Verb phrase
This part occupies the Noun or Verb phrase position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
她生病了，需要休息。
She is ill and needs to rest.
我们需要更多时间。
We need more time.
你不需要买票。
You do not need to buy a ticket.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- State a need for an object: 我需要帮助。
- State a necessary action: 她需要休息。
- Deny a present or general need with 不需要.
Do not use it when
- Do not use 需要 merely to say someone can perform an action.
- Do not place 需要 after its complement.
- Do not put 不 inside an inseparable verb-object phrase after 需要.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
她需要吗休息？
她需要休息吗？
The question particle splits 需要 from its complement
Sentence-final 吗 cannot split 需要 from its required complement 休息.
你需要买不票。
你不需要买票。
Negation is inserted inside the verb-object phrase
To deny the need, 不 belongs before 需要; it cannot split 买票.
她需要吗休息？
Sentence-final 吗 cannot split 需要 from its required complement 休息.
你需要买不票。
To deny the need, 不 belongs before 需要; it cannot split 买票.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 需要.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 需要. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
需要: Needing Something or an Action Questions
Can a verb follow 需要?
Yes. 需要 can take an action such as 休息, 学习, or 等待 as its complement.
How do I say do not need to?
Use 不需要 before the action: 你不需要等我。
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 3 item 【三04】, 能愿动词：需要
Supports placement in HSK 3; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 11, Stative verbs, §§11.2–11.3 (Google Books preview pages PT110–PT111)
Shows 需要 as a predicate that takes a following object or proposition describing what is needed.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
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