需 (xū) - Need, require, necessary & to be in need of

需Tone 1

xū ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

需 · xū

Need, require, necessary;

to be in need of;

necessity;

demand.

Need, require, necessaryto be in need ofnecessity

Usage highlights

To needNecessaryDemandNecessityTo requireAccording to need

Synonyms

  • 要— to want; to need
  • 求— to request; to seek
  • 必须— must; have to

Antonyms

  • 供— to supply; to provide
  • 给— to give

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We need to buy tickets (需要买票).
  • This task requires patience (需要耐心).
  • There is a demand for skilled workers (需要技术工人).
  • It is a necessary condition (必要条件).

Collocations

  • To need(需要)
  • Necessary(必需的)
  • Demand(需求)
  • Necessity(必需品)
  • To require(需用)
  • According to need(按需)

Idioms

  • Each according to his need(各取所需)
  • To meet a need(解燃眉之急)
  • To supply what is needed(供其所需)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 需 is composed of 雨 (rain) and 而 (and/but), originally depicting waiting for rain, hence the meaning of 'need' or 'requirement'.
  • It is fundamental in expressing concepts of necessity and demand in both classical and modern Chinese contexts.
  • Frequently used in economic and social discussions about supply and demand (供需).

FAQ