Talking About Future Careers and Aspirations in Mandarin Chinese
Learn to say what job you want and share work plans in Mandarin using 想, 要, and 打算, with a natural beginner conversation about careers and promotions.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson you will learn how to talk about your future work in Mandarin Chinese. The key is three common verbs: 想 (xiǎng, would like to), 要 (yào, want to / will), and 打算 (dǎsuàn, plan to). These let you say things like 'I want to be a doctor' or 'I'm aiming for a promotion.' Chinese verbs do not change form for tense, so future meaning comes from these words plus time expressions such as 以后 (yǐhòu, later, in the future). You will also learn job words like 医生 (yīshēng, doctor), 老师 (lǎoshī, teacher), and 经理 (jīnglǐ, manager). By the end you can hold a short, polite conversation about your career plans.
By the end, you can…
- say what job I want to do in the future using 想 and 要.
- ask someone about their career plans and answer with 打算.
- talk about aiming for a promotion using 升职 and 希望.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我想当医生。
I want to be a doctor.
wǒ xiǎng dāng yīshēng
Use 当 (dāng) before a job word to mean 'work as / become.' 想 softens it to 'would like to.'
你以后想做什么？
What do you want to do in the future?
nǐ yǐhòu xiǎng zuò shénme
A friendly, common way to ask about someone's career plans. 以后 means 'in the future.'
我打算明年换工作。
I plan to change jobs next year.
wǒ dǎsuàn míngnián huàn gōngzuò
打算 (dǎsuàn) means 'plan to' and is followed directly by a verb. 明年 means 'next year.'
我希望升职。
I hope to get a promotion.
wǒ xīwàng shēngzhí
希望 (xīwàng) means 'hope.' 升职 (shēngzhí) means 'to get promoted.'
我要努力工作。
I want to work hard.
wǒ yào nǔlì gōngzuò
要 (yào) is stronger than 想, showing determination. 努力 (nǔlì) means 'to work hard.'
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern is 想 / 要 / 打算 + verb. 想 shows a wish, 要 shows a firm intention, and 打算 shows a concrete plan. For example: 我想当老师 (I want to be a teacher), 我要学中文 (I want to study Chinese), 我打算去北京工作 (I plan to work in Beijing). To name a job, use 当 + job: 当医生 (be a doctor), 当经理 (be a manager). Note that Chinese verbs never add endings for future; the future meaning comes from words like 以后 (yǐhòu, later) or 明年 (míngnián, next year).
When to use it
Use 想 when you are expressing a wish politely, especially in conversation: 我想当医生. Use 要 when you feel determined or are stating a decision: 我要努力工作. Use 打算 when you have a specific plan with a time: 我打算明年换工作. To ask about someone's plans, say 你以后想做什么？ or 你打算做什么？ These are neutral and suitable for classmates, friends, or coworkers. Add 希望 (xīwàng, hope) for goals you cannot fully control, such as 我希望升职.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你以后想做什么？
What do you want to do in the future?nǐ yǐhòu xiǎng zuò shénme我想当医生。你呢？
I want to be a doctor. What about you?wǒ xiǎng dāng yīshēng. nǐ ne我打算明年换工作，我希望升职。
I plan to change jobs next year. I hope to get a promotion.wǒ dǎsuàn míngnián huàn gōngzuò, wǒ xīwàng shēngzhí很好！我们一起努力吧。
Great! Let's work hard together.hěn hǎo! wǒmen yìqǐ nǔlì baA little context goes a long way
In Chinese workplaces and schools, asking about future plans is common and usually friendly, not intrusive. Still, 你以后想做什么？ is more appropriate with classmates or people you know. With a new acquaintance or senior colleague, a softer question like 你以后有什么打算？ (nǐ yǐhòu yǒu shénme dǎsuàn, What plans do you have for the future?) sounds more respectful. Using 想 instead of 要 can make your statement less forceful and more polite.
One thing to watch for
Saying 我是医生 to mean 'I want to be a doctor.'
Try this instead: 我是医生 means 'I am a doctor' — a present fact. For a future wish, use 想 or 要 with 当: 我想当医生 (I want to be a doctor). Remember the pattern 想/要 + 当 + job.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I want to be a teacher'?
Show a sample answer
我想当老师。
想 expresses a wish, and 当 links to the job word 老师. 我要当老师 is also correct but sounds more determined.
2Which word means 'plan to,' and how do you use it?
Show a sample answer
打算, as in 我打算明年换工作。
打算 is followed directly by a verb. 想 or 要 could replace it, but 打算 stresses a concrete plan.
3How do you ask a classmate about their future plans?
Show a sample answer
你以后想做什么？
This is friendly and common. 你以后有什么打算？ is a slightly softer alternative.
Use 想 for wishes, 要 for determination, and 打算 for concrete plans, followed directly by a verb. Add 当 before a job word, and use 以后 or 明年 to place your plan in the future.
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