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March 24, 2026
巴不得bābudé(ba1bu5de2)
The phrase 巴不得 (bā bù dé) expresses a strong desire or eagerness for something to happen. It is often used to convey a sense of longing or anticipation, typically in informal contexts, such as wanting something to occur quickly or wishing for a favorable outcome.
Frequency#13605DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing eagerness, especially in family or close friend settings, reflects strong social bonds and the importance of shared experiences, such as eagerly anticipating family gatherings or holidays.
Memory Tip
Imagine a child at a birthday party, eagerly thinking, 'I can't wait for the cake!' This eagerness can be visualized as him holding a '巴' (bā) shaped cake and wishing '不得' (bù dé) to have it immediately, connecting the visual and sound of the phrase to its meaning.
Meanings of 巴不得
bābudé(ba1bu5de2)
1(coll.) to be eager for
2to long for
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About 巴不得
巴不得Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
习用语phrase (phr.)Part of Speech
#13605Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 巴不得
Podcast: 巴不得
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AI Study Notes for 巴不得
Quick Contrast
渴望 (kěwàng) - use 巴不得 when expressing a strong desire for something to happen soon, while 渴望 conveys a more general longing or aspiration.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a child at a birthday party, eagerly thinking, 'I can't wait for the cake!' This eagerness can be visualized as him holding a '巴' (bā) shaped cake and wishing '不得' (bù dé) to have it immediately, connecting the visual and sound of the phrase to its meaning.
Usage Notes
巴不得 is often used in informal conversations among friends or family. A common mistake is to use it in overly formal contexts where simpler expressions might suffice. Be aware of the tone; it should convey eagerness without sounding overly desperate.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 HSK word, 巴不得 connects to emotions and desires, which are common themes at this level. Students should focus on the nuances of expressing eagerness and compare it with other HSK 6 emotional vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing eagerness, especially in family or close friend settings, reflects strong social bonds and the importance of shared experiences, such as eagerly anticipating family gatherings or holidays.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 巴不得 by placing it with negative structures, leading to confusion. For instance, saying '我巴不得不去' (I can't wait not to go) is incorrect; it should be used only to express eagerness for positive outcomes.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 巴不得
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Grammar Patterns of 巴不得
巴不得 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
He had been running for over ten hours and desperately wished he could get home in a single step.
Example Sentences for 巴不得 (1)
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1
那孩子巴不得拿到糖.
nà hái zǐ bā bù dé ná dào táng.
The child is eager to have the candy.
Exercise 1 of 1
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The child is eager to have the candy.
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Cultural Notes for 巴不得
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing eagerness, especially in family or close friend settings, reflects strong social bonds and the importance of shared experiences, such as eagerly anticipating family gatherings or holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions about 巴不得
It's better to avoid 巴不得 in formal contexts; opt for more neutral expressions of desire.
While it usually conveys eagerness, the context can affect its tone, sometimes making it sound desperate.
You can say, '我巴不得这个项目能尽快完成' (I can't wait for this project to be completed quickly).
