ànqī: 按期 - On Schedule, On Time, Punctually

• Keywords: anqi, 按期, on schedule in Chinese, punctually Chinese, 按时, on time Chinese, meet a deadline Chinese, Chinese word for deadline, deliver on time, project schedule, make a payment on time.
• Summary: Learn how to use “ànqī” (按期), the essential Chinese term for doing something “on schedule” or “on time” according to a pre-arranged date or deadline. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural importance in business, and practical usage in modern China. Discover the crucial difference between 按期 (ànqī) and 按时 (ànshí) through clear examples, ensuring you can talk about meeting deadlines and project milestones with confidence.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): ànqī
• Part of Speech: Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To do something according to the agreed-upon date or schedule.
• In a Nutshell: 按期 (ànqī) is all about fulfilling an obligation by a specific date or within a set period. It's not just about showing up on time; it’s about completing a project, making a payment, or holding a conference as planned. It carries a sense of formality and commitment to a schedule, making it a cornerstone of business and official communication.

• 按 (àn): This character's original meaning is “to press” or “to push down with the hand.” In many modern words, it has evolved to mean “according to” or “in accordance with.” Think of it as following a guideline precisely, as if tracing a line with your finger.
• 期 (qī): This character means “a period of time,” “a date,” or “a designated time.” You'll see it in words like `日期 (rìqī - date)` and `学期 (xuéqī - school term/semester)`.
• Combined Meaning: Together, 按 (according to) + 期 (the scheduled date/period) literally means “according to the schedule.” This transparent combination makes its meaning very clear: to act in alignment with a pre-set timeline.

In Chinese culture, particularly in business and professional settings, fulfilling obligations 按期 is a fundamental sign of reliability (可靠, kěkào) and trustworthiness (守信用, shǒu xìnyòng). While Western culture values punctuality, 按期 often refers to larger, more significant commitments than just arriving at a meeting on time. Imagine a contract for a construction project. The Western focus might be on daily punctuality of the workers. The Chinese concept of 按期 is more focused on hitting major milestones: finishing the foundation by the end of the month, completing the structure by the end of the quarter, and finishing the entire project 按期. Failure to complete a task 按期 can result in a significant loss of face (丢面子, diū miànzi) for an individual or company. It suggests a lack of competence or respect for the agreement. Therefore, promising to deliver something 按期 is a serious commitment, and achieving it builds trust and strengthens business relationships (关系, guānxi).

• Business and Contracts: This is the most common context for 按期. It's standard vocabulary in contracts, project management updates, and business correspondence.
  • Example: 合同规定，我们必须按期交货。 (Hétóng guīdìng, wǒmen bìxū ànqī jiāohuò.) - The contract stipulates that we must deliver the goods on schedule.
• Formal Announcements: You will often see 按期 used in official notices about events, conferences, or openings.
  • Example: 展览会将按期于下周一开幕。 (Zhǎnlǎnhuì jiāng ànqī yú xià zhōuyī kāimù.) - The exhibition will open on schedule next Monday.
• Financial Obligations: It is frequently used for scheduled payments like loans, rent, or bills.
  • Example: 请记得按期偿还信用卡账单。(Qǐng jìdé ànqī chánghuán xìnyòngkǎ zhàngdān.) - Please remember to pay your credit card bill on time.
• Connotation: 按期 is neutral to positive. Fulfilling a duty 按期 is the expected, professional standard. The negative form, 未能按期 (wèi néng ànqī), meaning “to fail to be on schedule,” carries a strong negative connotation of failure and breach of promise.

• Example 1:
  • 工程终于按期完工了。
  • Pinyin: Gōngchéng zhōngyú ànqī wángōng le.
  • English: The project was finally completed on schedule.
  • Analysis: A classic example used in project management. “完工 (wángōng)” means “to complete work,” and 按期 here modifies this action, indicating it met its deadline.
• Example 2:
  • 如果您不能按期付款，将会产生利息。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nín bùnéng ànqī fùkuǎn, jiāng huì chǎnshēng lìxī.
  • English: If you cannot make the payment on schedule, you will incur interest.
  • Analysis: Common in financial or rental agreements. It clearly links the scheduled action (付款 - payment) with a consequence.
• Example 3:
  • 尽管遇到了很多困难，我们还是按期交付了产品。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn yùdào le hěn duō kùnnán, wǒmen háishì ànqī jiāofù le chǎnpǐn.
  • English: Despite encountering many difficulties, we still delivered the product on schedule.
  • Analysis: This sentence structure emphasizes perseverance. “尽管…还是…” (despite…still…) highlights the achievement of being 按期.
• Example 4:
  • 会议将按期举行，请大家准时参加。
  • Pinyin: Huìyì jiāng ànqī jǔxíng, qǐng dàjiā zhǔnshí cānjiā.
  • English: The conference will be held as scheduled, please attend on time.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the difference between 按期 and 准时 (zhǔnshí). The event itself is happening “on the scheduled date” (按期), while the attendees are asked to arrive “at the punctual time” (准时).
• Example 5:
  • 他每个月都按期把房租交给房东。
  • Pinyin: Tā měi ge yuè dōu ànqī bǎ fángzū jiāo gěi fángdōng.
  • English: He pays the rent to the landlord on time every month.
  • Analysis: Here, 按期 refers to meeting the monthly due date for the rent, a recurring scheduled obligation.
• Example 6:
  • 由于供应链问题，货物未能按期到达。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú gōngyìngliàn wèntí, huòwù wèi néng ànqī dàodá.
  • English: Due to supply chain issues, the goods failed to arrive on schedule.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative form, “未能按期 (wèi néng ànqī),” which is a formal way to say something was late or missed its deadline.
• Example 7:
  • 按期毕业是每个大学生的目标。
  • Pinyin: Ànqī bìyè shì měi ge dàxuéshēng de mùbiāo.
  • English: Graduating on schedule is the goal of every university student.
  • Analysis: Here, 按期 functions almost like an adjective, describing the type of graduation (one that happens within the standard four-year period).
• Example 8:
  • 我们向客户承诺按期完成所有维修工作。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xiàng kèhù chéngnuò ànqī wánchéng suǒyǒu wéixiū gōngzuò.
  • English: We promise our clients that we will complete all repair work on schedule.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates its use in making a formal promise (承诺, chéngnuò) in a service or business context.
• Example 9:
  • 请务必在下周五前按期提交你的论文。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng wùbì zài xià zhōuwǔ qián ànqī tíjiāo nǐ de lùnwén.
  • English: You must submit your thesis on schedule before next Friday.
  • Analysis: “务必 (wùbì)” adds a sense of urgency and obligation, reinforcing the formal expectation of being 按期.
• Example 10:
  • 这家公司以按期交货而闻名。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐ ànqī jiāohuò ér wénmíng.
  • English: This company is famous for its on-schedule deliveries.
  • Analysis: “以…而闻名 (yǐ…ér wénmíng)” means “to be famous for…”. This shows how being 按期 can be a key part of a company's reputation.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 按期 (ànqī) and 按时 (ànshí). They both translate to “on time,” but they are not interchangeable.

• 按期 (ànqī) - On Schedule (Focus on the DATE or PERIOD: 期)
  • Use this for deadlines, project milestones, release dates, and events that are planned for a specific day or period.
  • Correct: 项目必须在年底前按期完成。 (Xiàngmù bìxū zài niándǐ qián ànqī wánchéng.) - The project must be completed on schedule before the end of the year.
• 按时 (ànshí) - On Time (Focus on the TIME OF DAY: 时)
  • Use this for daily routines, appointments, classes, and transportation schedules. It's about being punctual to the minute or hour.
  • Correct: 我每天早上七点按时起床。 (Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang qī diǎn ànshí qǐchuáng.) - I get up on time at 7 AM every day.

Common Mistake:

• Incorrect: 我们明天按期三点开会。 (Wǒmen míngtiān ànqī sān diǎn kāihuì.)
• Why it's wrong: A 3 o'clock meeting is a specific time of day, not a long-term deadline or schedule. The focus is on the hour (时), not the date (期).
• Correct: 我们明天按时三点开会。 (Wǒmen míngtiān ànshí sān diǎn kāihuì.) - We will have the meeting on time at 3 PM tomorrow.

• 按时 (ànshí) - “On time.” A close relative of 按期, but focuses on a specific time of day rather than a date or deadline.
• 准时 (zhǔnshí) - “Punctual.” A very common synonym for 按时, often used to describe people, buses, or trains arriving exactly on time.
• 如期 (rúqī) - “As scheduled.” A slightly more formal or literary synonym for 按期. It means “like the scheduled date.”
• 延期 (yánqī) - Antonym: “To postpone, to delay.” This is what happens when you cannot complete something 按期.
• 逾期 (yúqī) - Antonym: “To be overdue.” This describes the state of having missed a deadline, especially for payments. (e.g., 逾期罚款 - overdue fine).
• 期限 (qīxiàn) - Noun: “Deadline, time limit.” This is the goal that 按期 aims to meet.
• 定期 (dìngqī) - “At regular intervals, periodically.” Describes something that happens on a recurring schedule (e.g., weekly, monthly), like a 定期会议 (dìngqī huìyì - regular meeting).
• 守时 (shǒushí) - “To be punctual.” Describes the personal quality or habit of being on time. Someone who is 守时 will always act 按时.