过期

• Pinyin: guò qī
• Hanzi breakdown: 过 = to exceed or surpass; 期 = 月 (moon) + 其 (that) — a fixed point in time

Meaning

To expire; to be past the valid or due date; overdue.

Applies to products (food, medicine, documents), deadlines, and contracts. Indicates that something has passed the point where it is valid, safe, or acceptable. Widely used in daily life, legal, and commercial contexts.

Examples

1. 这瓶牛奶已经过期三天了，千万不要喝。 This milk expired three days ago—don’t drink it.
2. 护照即将过期，你最好提前三个月申请换发。 Your passport is about to expire; you’d better apply for a renewal three months in advance.
3. 合同若在规定期限内未续签，将视为自动过期失效。 If the contract isn’t renewed within the specified period, it will be deemed to have expired and become invalid automatically.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, food safety, legal, documents

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 购买药品时请务必检查有效期，避免服用过期药物。(When buying medicine, always check the expiry date to avoid taking expired medication.)
• 优惠券已经过期，本次消费无法享受折扣。(The coupon has expired and cannot be used for a discount on this purchase.)

Don't Say

• 他的运气过期了 — 过期 applies to time-limited validity, not abstract qualities; say 他的运气用尽了 or 他时运已过

Origin & History

过 (to pass, to go beyond) + 期 (period, deadline, date)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal