Do you want to…?
Informal Neutral
What it really means
Sometimes a real question, but from teachers, parents or bosses it is often an instruction: "Do you want to start tidying up?" means "start tidying up". Answering no is a joke at best.
Chinese explanation
有时是真提问，但出自老师、家长或上司之口时常是指令："要不要开始收拾了？"意思就是开始收拾。回答"不想"只能当玩笑。
Example conversation
A: Do you want to make a start on the washing-up?
B: Not really—
A: It wasn't a question, love.
A：你要不要开始洗碗了？
B：不太想——
A：亲爱的，这可不是在问你。
All Politeness Decoder
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake