Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 期待 | qīdài |
| 預料 / 预料 | yùliào |
The choice of word depends on whether your expectation is based on emotion or logic. Use 期待 when you are looking forward to something with hope or expressing a personal desire. Use 預料 when you are making a neutral prediction about something that is likely to happen based on current signs or logical reasoning.
Which one should you use?
The term 期待 carries a positive connotation and is used when you are looking forward to an event with emotional anticipation or hope. In contrast, 預料 has a neutral or logical connotation, meaning to predict or expect something based on logic, such as when a certain outcome is 'expected' to occur.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a transitive verb, 期待 can be used directly with an object, such as a person or an event, without needing a preposition like 'for'.
How do you pronounce it?
qīdài
Did you know?
- If you want to express that you 'expect' someone to do something as an obligation, neither 期待 nor 預料 is used. Instead, speakers use 要求 (yāoqiú), which shifts the meaning from 'anticipation' to a 'requirement'.
- While 期待 is positive, the word 預料 (yùliào) is often used in the negative to express that something was 'unexpected'. In this context, 出乎預料 (chū hū yùliào) literally means the event 'stepped out' of the predicted logic.
- The word 期待 (qīdài) contains the character 待, which also means 'to treat' or 'to serve'. This suggests that expecting someone in Mandarin is conceptually linked to the act of preparing to receive or host them.
Examples in context
- 湯姆還不在這裡，但我們期待他很快就來。Tom isn't here yet, but we expect him soon.This sentence shows how to use 期待 to express expecting a person's arrival soon.Tatoeba #6624716 by verdastelo9604, translation #1024696 by CK
- 我期待你的幫助。I expect your help.This sentence demonstrates using 期待 to express expecting someone's help.Tatoeba #825943 by Martha, translation #17056 by CK
- 我期待你能準時。I expect you to be punctual.This sentence shows how to use 期待 to express the expectation for someone to be punctual.Tatoeba #849022 by Martha, translation #17514 by CK
- 我们预期这个项目会取得成功。We expect this project to be successful.
- 我们期望能够达到更高的销售额。We expect to achieve higher sales figures.
- 我期待明天的聚会。I'm looking forward to tomorrow's gathering.
- 我们都盼望着春节的到来。We all eagerly await the arrival of the Spring Festival.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about an upcoming concert.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我很期待今晚的演唱會。Wǒ hěn qīdài jīnwǎn de yǎnchànghuì.I am really looking forward to tonight's concert.
- 欣怡 Xinyi我也是，我期待很久了。Wǒ yěshì, wǒ qīdài hěn jiǔ le.Me too, I have been looking forward to it for a long time.
- 志强 Zhiqiang希望表演不會太晚開始。Xīwàng biǎoyǎn búhuì tài wǎn kāishǐ.I hope the performance won't start too late.
- 欣怡 Xinyi志强，我們快走吧。Zhìqiáng, wǒmen kuài zǒu ba.Zhiqiang, let's go quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “expect” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
