巴不得

• Pinyin: bā bu dé
• Hanzi breakdown: 巴 = to cling/hope; 不得 = cannot obtain

Meaning

To be only too eager to; to be dying to; to wish desperately.

Expresses an intense desire for something to happen. Often implies impatience or that the wish is unlikely or difficult to fulfill. Colloquial and emphatic.

Examples

1. 他巴不得立刻辞职，不想再忍受这个老板了。 He can't wait to quit immediately — he doesn't want to put up with this boss anymore.
2. 孩子们巴不得每天都是周末。 The kids wish every day were the weekend.
3. 我巴不得这场会议马上结束。 I'm dying for this meeting to end right now.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, emotional

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 我巴不得能去呢！(I'd love nothing more than to go!)
• 他巴不得你走。(He can't wait for you to leave.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合用'巴不得' (Avoid 巴不得 in formal writing — it's too colloquial)

Origin & History

巴 (to cling/hope) + 不得 (cannot get). Together: wishing so desperately one clings to the hope.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal