I've generally thought that ต้องการ means "to need" though I do know it can mean "to want" sometimes. But I have been recently instructed that ต้องการ actually means "to want" generally, as opposed to "to need".

Personally, I've always used "เอา" and "อยาก" when trying to say "want", and "ต้องการ" when trying to say "need". I also sometimes use "จำเป็น" when I want to use a more concrete "need".

Can someone shed some light on this?

Thanks.

Depends on situation and context.

When speaking I will use เอา for a noun and อยาก for a verb, when saying I want.

ต้องการ I use when refering to need.

However depending on the situation I will use ต้อง to indicate need, such as at a checkout the cashier goes to put something in a bag I will say ไม่ต้อง.

จำเป็น I take to mean its necessary or required.

ควร is another that means should.

As I mentioned it really depends on what you are referring to and if there will be any comeback If you dont carry out the action.

ไปเที่ยว is an example, do you want to go for a holiday, do you need to have a holiday but there will be no comeback if you dont, or are you required to go for a holiday, eg you may lose the days if you dont, or should you go for a holiday.

The above are example of how I use these words.

เอา = to take with purpose, the next word needs to be a NOUN, as you can only take a physical object.

ขอ = ask or request, much more polite

ขอ ; ต้องการ ; ขอให้ ; ขอร้อง all have similar usage

Edited July 15, 201213 yr by TommoPhysicist