到期

• Pinyin: dào qī
• Hanzi breakdown: 到 = 至 (arrive) + 刂 (knife); 期 = 其 (that) + 月 (moon/month)

Meaning

To expire; to mature; to be due. Reaching the end of a designated time period.

Used for contracts, visas, loans, memberships, and other time-limited agreements. When something 到期, it has reached its deadline and often requires renewal or settlement. Also used for financial instruments maturing.

Examples

1. 我的护照下个月就要到期了，得抓紧续办。 My passport expires next month — I need to hurry and renew it.
2. 这笔贷款到期后，我打算一次性还清。 When this loan matures, I plan to pay it off in full.
3. 你的健身卡到期了吗？需要续费的话告诉我。 Has your gym membership expired? Let me know if you need to renew.

Usage Guide

Context: documents, contracts, deadlines

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 合同什么时候到期？(When does the contract expire?)
• 到期前请记得续费。(Please remember to renew before expiration.)

Don't Say

• 到期强调时间限制的终结，不用于描述人的到达 (到期 emphasizes the end of a time limit — don't use it for describing a person's arrival)

Origin & History

Combines 到 (to arrive/reach) with 期 (period/term), meaning to arrive at the end of a term.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal