The difference between “to like” xǐhuān 喜欢 an - Cchatty

The difference between “to like” xǐhuān 喜欢 and “would like to” xiǎng 想

Do you like to watch movies?
Nǐ xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng ma?
你喜欢看电影吗？

Would you like to watch a movie?
Nǐ xiǎng kàn diànyǐng ma?
你想看电影吗？

THEREFORE:
I would like to look at that thing. [said to salesperson]
✔ CC: Wǒ xiǎng kànkan nàge dōngxi.
我想看看那个东西。
✖ BC: Wǒ xǐhuān kàn nàge dōngxi.
我喜欢看那个东西。

Literally: I like to look at that thing . . . and nothing else!


You would never say to a salesperson:

I like to buy this.
✖ BC: Wǒ xǐhuān mǎi zhèige 我喜欢买这个。

Instead, you would say:
I would like to buy this.
✔ CC: Wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhèige 我想买这个 。