Want to, going to, planning to — how far your feet have moved

Where the picture shows up in 想/要/打算

1. 1

   a wish that stays in the head

   我想去日本，可是没时间。

   wǒ xiǎng qù Rìběn, kěshì méi shíjiān

   I'd love to go to Japan, but I've no time.

2. 2

   something your head keeps holding

   在国外待久了，特别想我妈做的菜。

   zài guówài dāi jiǔ le, tèbié xiǎng wǒ mā zuò de cài

   After this long abroad I really miss my mum's cooking.

   When a person or a food follows 想 directly, it means missing or craving them.

3. 3

   the hand already out

   老板，我要一杯热美式。

   lǎobǎn, wǒ yào yì bēi rè měishì

   Could I get a hot americano, please.

4. 4

   feet about to land

   时间不早了，我要走了。

   shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ yào zǒu le

   It's getting late — I'm going to head off.

   要…了 means it is about to happen, not that you want it.

5. 5

   the route drawn on paper

   我打算明年换个工作。

   wǒ dǎsuàn míngnián huàn ge gōngzuò

   I'm planning to change jobs next year.