Meaning of 期待
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to look forward to
- to await
- expectation
How to use 期待
期待 is used for hopeful waiting, both as a verb and as a noun meaning expectation. It sounds a little more formal or heartfelt than 盼望 in daily talk and is common in messages and speeches. Example: 我很期待这个假期。(Wǒ hěn qīdài zhège jiàqī.) I am really looking forward to this vacation.
期 (qī) is the 期 in 星期 (xīngqī) and 日期 (rìqī), so think of a set date on the calendar. 待 (dài) means to wait, so 期待 is waiting for a date you have marked, which is looking forward to it.
Common mistake: Learners often use 期待 where 等 (děng) is needed. 等 is neutral waiting, like waiting for a bus, while 期待 always carries hope or excitement. Also note 期 is first tone qī, not third tone qǐ.
期待 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
期 qī · a period of time · 12 strokes
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待 dāi · to stay · 9 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 期待.
| 星期 | xīngqī | week; day of the week |
| 日期 | rìqī | date |
| 星期天 | xīngqītiān | Sunday |
| 星期日 | xīngqīrì | Sunday |
| 假期 | jiàqī | holiday period; vacation |
| 学期 | xuéqī | term; semester |
| 等待 | děngdài | to wait; to wait for |
| 对待 | duìdài | to treat; treatment |
| 长期 | chángqī | long-term; for a protracted period |
| 接待 | jiēdài | to receive; to entertain; to host (guests, visitors or clients) |
| 定期 | dìngqī | at set dates; at regular intervals |
| 短期 | duǎnqī | short-term |
Questions about 期待
What does 期待 mean?
期待 (qīdài) means "to look forward to; to await" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 期待?
期待 is made of 2 characters: 期 (12 strokes), 待 (9 strokes). That is 21 strokes in total.
Is 期待 an HSK word?
Yes. 期待 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 期待 and 希望?
希望 (xīwàng) means to hope or wish that something happens, often with a clause after it. 期待 focuses on eagerly awaiting something you expect to come, like an event or a reply.
How do I say I look forward to hearing from you with 期待?
A common phrase is 期待你的回复 (qīdài nǐ de huífù), I look forward to your reply. In emails you may also see 期待您的回复, using the polite 您 (nín).