Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
期待 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
期待qīdàito look forward toHSK 5, v, rank #1567, Medium
期待qīdàito awaitHSK 5, v, rank #1567, Medium
期待qīdàiexpectationHSK 5, v, rank #1567, Medium
qīdài(qi1dai4) T1
  1. 1to look forward to
  2. 2to await
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
期待qīdài(qi1dai4)

期待 (qīdài) means to look forward to or to await something with anticipation. This word is commonly used when expressing hope or excitement about future events, such as meeting someone or an upcoming occasion.

Frequency#1567DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, expressing 期待 is common in social interactions, often related to family gatherings during festivals like the Spring Festival, where people eagerly await reunions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a child eagerly waiting for their birthday party, counting down the days. The character 期 (qī) looks like a person standing under a roof, waiting expectantly, while 待 (dài) suggests waiting. Together, they evoke the feeling of anticipation.

Meanings of 期待

qīdài(qi1dai4)
1to look forward to
2to await
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 期待

期待Simplified
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1567Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 期待

JasonAmy

Podcast: 期待

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 期待

Quick Contrast

期待 (qīdài) vs 盼望 (pànwàng) — use 期待 when expressing anticipation for a specific event, while 盼望 conveys a more general hope or desire.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a child eagerly waiting for their birthday party, counting down the days. The character 期 (qī) looks like a person standing under a roof, waiting expectantly, while 待 (dài) suggests waiting. Together, they evoke the feeling of anticipation.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone in 期待 as it can be confused with similar-sounding words. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in overly casual settings. Common collocations include 期待未来 (look forward to the future) and 期待回复 (await a response).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 期待 connects to other vocabulary about emotions and hopes, such as 希望 (xīwàng, hope) and 愿望 (yuànwàng, wish). Focus on using it in sentences that express future expectations, which will help reinforce its meaning.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, expressing 期待 is common in social interactions, often related to family gatherings during festivals like the Spring Festival, where people eagerly await reunions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 期待 with 期望 (qīwàng, to hope for), which is more abstract and less about anticipation. A common mistake is saying '我期待你来' (Wǒ qīdài nǐ lái) when it should be '我希望你来' (Wǒ xīwàng nǐ lái) for a more general hope.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 期待

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 期待 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

period
HSK 412 strokes
View full entry
dāito stay
HSK 49 strokes
View full entry

Write 期待

Practice writing 期待 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 期待

期待 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

她转身望着我,脸上带着____的表情。

She turned to me with an expectant look on her face.

Example Sentences for 期待 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她转身望着我,脸上带着期待的表情。

tā zhuǎn shēn wàng zháo wǒ, , liǎn shàng dài zháo qī dài de biǎo。

She turned to me with an expectant look on her face.
2
这并不是我所期待的那种祥和平静的体验。

zhè bìng bù shì wǒ suǒ qī dài de nà zhǒng xiáng hé píng jìng de tǐ yàn。

It wasn't the peaceful, composed experience I had expected.
3
佩罗期待着新一轮的竞选宣传节目的播出。

pèi luó qī dài zháo xīn yī lún de jìng xuǎn xuān chuán jié mù de bō chū。

Perot hoped to run another series of campaign infomercials.
4
让人期待已久的研究遭到了烟草行业的批评。

ràng rén qī dài yǐ jiǔ de yán jiū zāo dào le yān cǎo háng yè de pī píng。

The long-anticipated study drew criticism from the tobacco industry.
5
人们期待他的出访会恢复外交关系。

rén mén qī dài tā de chū fǎng huì huī fù wài jiāo guān xì。

His visit is expected to lead to the restoration of diplomatic relations.
6
唱片店正期待着人们会争相抢购这张单曲唱片。

chàng piàn diàn zhèng qī dài zháo rén mén huì zhēng xiāng qiāng gòu zhè zhāng dān qū chàng piàn。

Record stores are expecting a huge rush for the single.
7
我日复一日地等着,期待能听到消息。

wǒ rì fù yī rì dì děng zháo, , qī dài néng tīng dào xiāo。

I waited for news, day after day, expecting to hear.
8
他微微皱了下眉头,显然并不期待任何人回答他的反问。

tā wēi wēi zhòu le xià méi tóu, , xiǎn rán bìng bù qī dài rèn hé rén huí dá tā de fǎn。

He grimaced slightly, obviously expecting no answer to his rhetorical question.
9
安东尼•弗罗加特期待能效新前景.

ān dōng ní• • fú luó jiā tè qī dài néng xiào xīn qián.

Antony Froggatt looks for a new perspective on energy efficiency.
10
敝姓王,我们非常期待您的光临.

bì xìng wáng, , wǒ mén fēi cháng qī dài nín de guāng.

My name is Wang and we look forward to seeing you.

Cultural Notes for 期待

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, expressing 期待 is common in social interactions, often related to family gatherings during festivals like the Spring Festival, where people eagerly await reunions.

Frequently Asked Questions about 期待

Typically, 期待 is used for positive anticipation; for negative situations, consider using words like 担心 (dānxīn, to worry).