qīdài: 期待 - To Expect, To Look Forward To, Anticipation

• Keywords: qidai, 期待, Chinese word for expect, look forward to in Chinese, anticipate in Chinese, Chinese hope, meaning of qidai, how to use qidai, Chinese emotion words, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 期待 (qīdài), a common Chinese word that translates to “to look forward to” or “to expect.” This page explores how `期待` is more than a simple verb; it's a feeling of hopeful anticipation for a positive outcome. Learn how to use `qidai` correctly in daily conversation, emails, and social media, understand its deep cultural significance in China, especially regarding family hopes, and see how it differs from the English word “expect.”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qīdài
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To look forward to or expect something, typically with a sense of hope and positive anticipation.
• In a Nutshell: `期待` is the warm, excited feeling you get when waiting for something good to happen. Think of the night before a vacation, waiting for a friend to arrive at the airport, or counting down the days to a new movie release. While it can mean “to expect,” it's almost never used for negative or neutral predictions. It's an emotional word, blending hope and waiting into one.

• 期 (qī): This character relates to a “period of time,” a “phase,” or a “scheduled date.” You see it in words like `日期 (rìqī)` - date, and `学期 (xuéqī)` - school term/semester. It sets the stage for something happening in the future.
• 待 (dài): This character means “to wait” or “to treat.” In this context, it clearly means “to wait,” as in the word `等待 (děngdài)` - to wait.

The combination of `期 (qī)` and `待 (dài)` literally means “to wait for a specific time/period.” This paints a perfect picture of the word's meaning: not just waiting, but waiting for a particular, anticipated event in the future.

In Chinese culture, `期待` carries a weight that the English “look forward to” often lacks. It is deeply connected to collective hopes and interpersonal responsibilities. A powerful example is the concept of parental expectations. Chinese parents often place immense `期待` on their children. A sentence like, `父母对孩子有很高的期待 (Fùmǔ duì háizi yǒu hěn gāo de qīdài)`, means “Parents have high expectations for their children.” This is not just a passive hope; it's a driving force in the family, a blend of love, sacrifice, and a deep desire for the child to succeed and bring honor to the family. This contrasts with some Western cultural ideals that may place a higher value on a child discovering their “own path,” separate from parental expectations. This `期待` isn't a burden in all contexts, but it signifies a deep emotional investment. It reflects a cultural value where individual success is often intertwined with family and community pride.

`期待` is a versatile and common word used in various modern contexts. Expressing Excitement for Events: This is the most direct usage. You can `期待` a holiday, a party, a trip, or a concert.

• `我很期待夏天的到来。` (Wǒ hěn qīdài xiàtiān de dàolái.) - I'm really looking forward to summer's arrival.

Polite and Professional Communication: In emails and messages, `期待您的回复 (qīdài nín de huífù)` is a very common and polite way to say “I look forward to your reply.” It's softer and warmer than just saying `请回复 (qǐng huífù)` (Please reply). Expressing Hope in People: This is where the “expectation” meaning is strongest. It's often used by teachers, bosses, or parents.

• `老板很期待你这次的表现。` (Lǎobǎn hěn qīdài nǐ zhè cì de biǎoxiàn.) - The boss is really looking forward to (has high expectations for) your performance this time.

As a Noun for “Anticipation”: `期待` can also function as a noun.

• `他的眼神里充满了期待。` (Tā de yǎnshén lǐ chōngmǎnle qīdài.) - His eyes were filled with anticipation.

Example 1: 我非常期待即将到来的旅行。 Pinyin: Wǒ fēicháng qīdài jíjiāng dàolái de lǚxíng. English: I am really looking forward to the upcoming trip. Analysis: This is the most common, straightforward use of `期待` to express positive excitement for a future event. Example 2: 我们都期待你的好消息。 Pinyin: Wǒmen dōu qīdài nǐ de hǎo xiāoxi. English: We are all looking forward to your good news. Analysis: Here, `期待` expresses a shared, hopeful anticipation for a positive outcome for someone else. Example 3: 期待您的回复。 Pinyin: Qīdài nín de huífù. English: I look forward to your reply. Analysis: A standard, polite, and warm closing for emails or formal messages. `您 (nín)` makes it respectful. Example 4: 不要对他有太高的期待，他还是个新手。 Pinyin: Búyào duì tā yǒu tài gāo de qīdài, tā háishì ge xīnshǒu. English: Don't have overly high expectations for him; he's still a novice. Analysis: This shows `期待` used as a noun (“expectations”) and in a negative construction to manage those expectations. Example 5: 这部电影我期待了很久！ Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng wǒ qīdài le hěn jiǔ! English: I've been looking forward to this movie for a long time! Analysis: The use of `了 (le)` and `很久 (hěn jiǔ)` emphasizes that the feeling of anticipation has been ongoing. Example 6: 看到孩子们充满期待的目光，老师笑了。 Pinyin: Kàndào háizimen chōngmǎn qīdài de mùguāng, lǎoshī xiào le. English: Seeing the children's gazes full of anticipation, the teacher smiled. Analysis: A perfect example of `期待` used as a noun to mean the feeling or look of “anticipation.” Example 7: 我们期待新产品能获得市场的认可。 Pinyin: Wǒmen qīdài xīn chǎnpǐn néng huòdé shìchǎng de rènkě. English: We expect/hope that the new product will gain market approval. Analysis: A common usage in a business context, expressing a strong hope for a successful outcome. Example 8: 他对未来充满了期待和梦想。 Pinyin: Tā duì wèilái chōngmǎnle qīdài hé mèngxiǎng. English: He is full of anticipation and dreams for the future. Analysis: This shows `期待` paired with `梦想 (mèngxiǎng)` (dreams) to describe a person's optimistic outlook. Example 9: 你最期待今年的哪个节日？ Pinyin: Nǐ zuì qīdài jīnnián de nǎge jiérì? English: Which holiday this year are you looking forward to the most? Analysis: A simple question using `期待` to ask about someone's preferences and excitement. Example 10: 结果令人失望，完全没有达到我们的期待。 Pinyin: Jiéguǒ lìng rén shīwàng, wánquán méiyǒu dádào wǒmen de qīdài. English: The result was disappointing; it completely failed to meet our expectations. Analysis: This sentence shows the consequence of unfulfilled `期待` (expectations), linking it to its antonym `失望 (shīwàng)` (disappointment).

1. `期待` (qīdài) vs. English “Expect”: This is the biggest pitfall for learners. In English, “expect” can be neutral or negative. You can “expect traffic to be bad” or “expect the meeting to be boring.” You cannot use `期待` for this. `期待` implies you want the thing to happen. For neutral predictions, use words like `预计 (yùjì)` or `估计 (gūjì)`.

• Incorrect: 我期待今天会堵车。(Wǒ qīdài jīntiān huì dǔchē.) - You sound happy about the traffic jam.
• Correct: 我估计今天会堵车。(Wǒ gūjì jīntiān huì dǔchē.) - I estimate/reckon there will be a traffic jam today.

2. `期待` (qīdài) vs. `等待` (děngdài):

• 等待 (děngdài): Simply means “to wait.” It's a neutral physical or temporal act. You `等待` a bus.
• 期待 (qīdài): Means “to wait with hope.” It's an emotional state. You `期待` your friend who is arriving on the bus.

You can `等待` for something you don't want, but you can only `期待` something you do want. 3. Overusing `期待` for Simple Hopes: While `期待` means to hope for something, for general or less certain wishes, `希望 (xīwàng)` (to hope) is often more natural. `期待` works best for specific, often scheduled, future events or outcomes.

• A bit dramatic: 我期待世界和平。(Wǒ qīdài shìjiè hépíng.) - I anticipate world peace.
• More natural: 我希望世界和平。(Wǒ xīwàng shìjiè hépíng.) - I hope for world peace.

• 希望 (xīwàng) - To hope. A more general-purpose word for wanting something to happen. `期待` is often for more concrete or scheduled events.
• 盼望 (pànwàng) - To long for; to look forward to eagerly. This is a more emotional and intense version of `期待`.
• 等待 (děngdài) - To wait. The neutral action of waiting, without the emotional anticipation of `期待`.
• 失望 (shīwàng) - Disappointed; disappointment. The direct antonym of `期待`, literally “to lose (失) hope/expectation (望).”
• 期望 (qīwàng) - Expectation; hope. Very close to `期待`, but often used more formally or as a noun to describe the standards or hopes placed upon a person (e.g., `父母的期望` - parental expectations).
• 预计 (yùjì) - To predict, to forecast, to estimate. The correct word for neutral or data-based “expectations,” like weather or financial forecasts.
• 指望 (zhǐwàng) - To count on, to look to (for help). Implies a level of dependence on someone or something to come through. Can be used negatively if the thing being relied upon is not dependable.