Love/want/need

[mawes12]

What does love/want/need/like mean? I know it means "to desire something" but is there another way to describe it?

 

[emsr2d2]

Those three words have different meanings. Why don't you try to use them in some sentences and we'll see how you're using them?

 

[mawes12]

I love/want/need/like you. Is that good?

 

[mawes12]

I just want to know if there is another way to describe love, want, need, or like.

 

[mawes12]

It is still not clear to me what you want. Are you asking for synonyms for each of those words?

I could check for synonyms but when I see the definition, most say "to desire something" and I want to know if there are other simpler words to say/define it. Do you understand now?

 

[mawes12]

NO. What is 'it'?

'It' is love, like, want, or need like I said in the question.

 

[mawes12]

I understand what love might be and to me it might be something/someone that doesn't bother you or that you hate but is there another word? and is there another word to describe/say hate?

 

[mawes12]

I asked this because those words sound too abstract to me and I think I understand now but I want to know what y'all think.

 

[ach4124]

Not a teacher.

When you say you love something, you are expressing your feelings/liking.
When you say you want something, you desire to own/possess it.
When you say you need something, it can mean a lot of things.

1) That thing is essential to you. (You don't necessarily like it.)
I need oxygen and water to survive. / I need coffee to stay awake.
The word need cannot be replaced by the other two words.

2) You're begging the person receiving this.
I need you. Please don't leave me. / I need this job.
The word need cannot be replaced by the other two words.

3) You're asking for a favour.
I need a paper clip. (You want someone to give you a paper clip.)
The word need can be replaced by want.

 

[tedmc]

Those three words have multiple meanings. We need to know the contexts to apply them.

Offhand, "want" and "need" are like opposites. When you need something, you do not have a choice. When you want something, you have a choice. You pick that something among other things.

Loving something is a deeper feeling than "liking something".

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think 'need/want' could be very different from 'love'. For example, 'I need/want you to be my slave' does not mean the speaker loves the listener.

Not a teacher.

 

[mawes12]

I think you guys are right but I asked because I don't really see action in those verbs but thanks to everyone who helped.

 

[lotus888]

What does love/want/need/like mean? I know it means "to desire something" but is there another way to describe it?

Desire seems to be a good overall synonym for all four.

When you love someone and you want them and you need them and you like them, you really have a desire or yearning for them. There are lots of synonyms. But as far as human feelings are concerned, I'd say it is a yearning.


--lotus

 

[mawes12]

I understand but to me desire and yearning are too abstract that I can't really see or understand the action. To me those words might have a lot of different pictures but I think I understand and thanks again.

 

[Raymott]

"I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hWWe-ts2s

 

[emsr2d2]

I understand but to me desire and yearning are too abstract that I can't really see or understand the action. To me those words might have a lot of different pictures but I think I understand and thanks again.

Bear in mind that, with the exception of nouns, you can't really make a "picture" of anything. You're right that desire and yearning are abstract - you feel them, you don't see them.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I understand but to me desire and yearning are too abstract that I can't really see or understand the action.

I think 'desire/yearning' do not necessarily denote action. For example, a person having a desire/yearning for a cabin cruiser might be too poor to buy it.

Not a teacher.

 

[mawes12]

"I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hWWe-ts2s

I have never heard that song but thanks.

I think 'desire/yearning' do not necessarily denote action. For example, a person having a desire/yearning for a cabin cruiser might be too poor to buy it.

Not a teacher.

I think you are right and I think when I asked that, I was thinking about the things you do when you desire something but I think I understand now.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Many times when one desires something, one doesn't do anything.

 

[tedmc]

I have never heard that song but thanks.

That song is from the "baby boomers' era".