Which one should you use?
While 期待 is the standard way to express anticipation, other phrases change the tone or intensity. For a poetic and slightly formal effect, you can use 翘首以盼, which means 'waiting eagerly with raised head'. If you want to convey a sense of extreme eagerness in formal settings, use 殷切期盼. In informal speech, you might use the expressive phrase 迫不及待 to mean 'can't wait' or the even more informal 等不及了, which literally translates to 'can't wait anymore'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate what you are looking forward to in a complete or formal sentence, use the structure 对 [object] 很期待. If you want to emphasize the ongoing state of your anticipation, you can add the particle 着 after the word to form 期待着, which creates a continuous aspect.
How do you pronounce it?
qīdài
Did you know?
- In Chinese business emails, using 期待 can sometimes be seen as a subtle way to nudge a client for a faster response rather than just expressing excitement.
- The term 殷切 in 殷切期盼 describes a feeling that is 'thick' or 'dense', suggesting that the anticipation is heavy and deeply felt.
- While 期待 is used for events, Chinese has different specific words for 'longing' when the object is a person, such as 思念.
Examples in context
- 我很期待哦。I'm really looking forward to it.This sentence shows how to express that you are really looking forward to something using 期待.Tatoeba #3610746 by slo_oth, translation #2540896 by CK
- 他对此很期待。He is looking forward to it.This sentence demonstrates how to use 期待 to say someone is looking forward to something.Tatoeba #343277 by fucongcong, translation #291488 by CK
- 我期待着与您的会面I'm looking forward to meeting you.
- 我殷切期盼着你的回信I'm eagerly looking forward to your reply.
- 我翘首以盼，期待着新的合作机会I'm eagerly looking forward to new opportunities for collaboration.
- 我盼望着你的到来I'm looking forward to your arrival.
- 我迫不及待想要看你的礼物I can't wait to see your gift!
- 我们出发吧，我等不及了！Let's go, I can't wait anymore!
- 我很期待下周的旅行。Wǒ hěn qīdài xià zhōu de lǚxíng.I am really looking forward to next week's trip.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they will see together.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你看了那部新电影的预告片吗？Nǐ kànle nà bù xīn diànyǐng de yùgào piàn ma?Did you see the trailer for that new movie?
- 浩然 Haoran看了，我很期待。Kànle, wǒ hěn qīdài.I did, I'm looking forward to it.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们明天下午去电影院吧。Nà wǒmen míngtiān xiàwǔ qù diànyǐngyuàn ba.Then let's go to the cinema tomorrow afternoon.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，没问题。Hǎo de, méi wèntí.Okay, no problem.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
