期待 (qīdài) — to expect, to look forward to; expectation
HSK 5 | verb / noun | to anticipate something with hope; hopeful expectation
期待 (qīdài)
To look forward to something hoped-for with positive anticipation -- warmer and more emotionally charged than neutral 期望 or 预期.
Meanings
- [verb] to look forward to, to eagerly anticipate, to expect with hope
- [noun] expectation, anticipation, hope
Example Sentences
孩子们都非常期待明天的春游活动。 Háizimen dōu fēicháng qīdài míngtiān de chūnyóu huódòng. The children are all very much looking forward to tomorrow's spring outing.
观众对这部续集电影抱有很高的期待。 Guānzhòng duì zhè bù xùjí diànyǐng bàoyǒu hěn gāo de qīdài. The audience has very high expectations for this sequel film.
我期待着与您在下次会议上再次见面。 Wǒ qīdàizhe yǔ nín zài xià cì huìyì shàng zàicì jiànmiàn. I look forward to meeting with you again at the next meeting.
她满怀期待地打开了那封来自大学的录取通知。 Tā mǎnhuái qīdài de dǎkāile nà fēng láizì dàxué de lùqǔ tōngzhī. She opened the university acceptance letter with great anticipation.
这项技术未能达到公众的普遍期待，令人有些失望。 Zhè xiàng jìshù wèi néng dádào gōngzhòng de pǔbiàn qīdài, lìng rén yǒuxiē shīwàng. This technology failed to meet public expectations, which was somewhat disappointing.
父母对子女的期待往往会影响孩子的职业选择。 Fùmǔ duì zǐnǚ de qīdài wǎngwǎng huì yǐngxiǎng háizi de zhíyè xuǎnzé. Parents' expectations of their children often influence the children's career choices.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 满怀期待 (mǎnhuái qīdài) | filled with anticipation |
| 充满期待 (chōngmǎn qīdài) | full of expectation |
| 高度期待 (gāodù qīdài) | highly anticipated |
| 期待已久 (qīdài yǐ jiǔ) | long-awaited |
| 期待与... | looking forward to (with sb.) |
| 超出期待 (chāochū qīdài) | to exceed expectations |
Usage Notes
期待 emphasizes hopeful, emotionally positive anticipation. It contrasts with 期望 (qīwàng), which has a stronger sense of "hoping that" something will happen (often used by superiors toward subordinates), and 预期 (yùqī), which is a more neutral, analytical expectation used in business and academic contexts.
期待 is natural in personal and social contexts: looking forward to an event, a meeting, or a result. In letters and emails, 期待您的回复 (looking forward to your reply) is a standard polite closing phrase.
Memory Hook
期 means "a set period of time" or "to hope/expect." 待 means "to wait." Together, 期待 is "waiting for a set time" -- that eager, hopeful waiting for something you really want to arrive.