期待

• Pinyin: qī dài
• Hanzi breakdown: 期 = 其 (its/that) + 月 (moon/month) — a specified time; 待 = 彳 (step) + 寺 (temple) — to wait at a place

Meaning

To look forward to; to expect; to anticipate. Expresses eager hope or expectation for something positive in the future.

A warm, positive verb expressing hopeful anticipation. Common collocations: 期待已久 (long-awaited), 满怀期待 (full of anticipation), 值得期待 (worth looking forward to). Slightly more formal and emotional than 盼望 (to hope/long for). Widely used in everyday speech, social media, and written Chinese.

Examples

1. 我们都很期待这个周末的旅行。 We are all really looking forward to this weekend's trip.
2. 观众们期待着演出的开始。 The audience eagerly anticipated the start of the performance.
3. 她一直期待着能和老朋友再见面。 She has always been looking forward to seeing her old friends again.

Usage Guide

Context: social media, everyday, formal writing

Tone: hopeful

Do Say

• 非常期待和你合作。(Very much looking forward to working with you.)
• 我期待着你的好消息。(I'm looking forward to your good news.)

Don't Say

• 我期待坏事发生 (Avoid using 期待 for negative expectations — it carries a positive, hopeful tone; for neutral/negative expectations, use 预料 or 预期)

Origin & History

A compound of 期 (a set time/to expect) and 待 (to wait/treat) — to wait expectantly for a set time or event.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal