想 vs 要 + Verb

想 (xiǎng) vs 要 (yào) — want to vs will/need to

Both sit before a verb, but 想 expresses a wish or desire — softer, like 'I feel like ~ing': 我想睡觉 (I feel like sleeping / I'd like to sleep). 要 is stronger — a firm intention, plan, or need: 我要去北京 (I'm going to Beijing / I need to go to Beijing). Negate 想 with 不想 (don't feel like), but negate 要 with 不想 as well in most everyday contexts — 不要 exists but usually means 'don't!' as a command, so beginners should avoid 不要 for 'I don't want to'.