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过期 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
过期guòqīto be overdueHSK 5, t, 18 strokes, rank #8289, Hard
过期guòqīto exceed the time limitHSK 5, t, 18 strokes, rank #8289, Hard
过期guòqīto expire (as in expiration date)HSK 5, t, 18 strokes, rank #8289, Hard
guòqī(guo4qi1)guo qi T4
  1. 1to be overdue
  2. 2to exceed the time limit
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March 24, 2026

过期(過期)guòqī(guo4qi1)

The term 过期 (guòqī) refers to something that has surpassed its designated time limit, often used in the context of expiration dates for food, documents, or agreements. It signifies that the item or agreement is no longer valid or usable due to the passage of time. Commonly encountered in everyday life, such as checking the expiration date on food products.

Strokes18Frequency#8289DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, checking expiration dates is particularly important for food safety, reflecting a strong emphasis on health and well-being. The concept of expiration is also significant in the context of contracts and agreements, where timely action is often crucial.

Memory tip

Think of 过 (guò) as 'to pass' and 期 (qī) as 'time period'. Imagine a clock with a big red hand passing the deadline, signaling that something is no longer valid. The '过' looks like a person passing by, while '期' symbolizes a calendar date being crossed out.

Meanings of 过期

guòqī(guo4qi1)
1to be overdue
2to exceed the time limit
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About 过期

过期Simplified
過期Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
时间词time word (t.)Part of Speech
#8289Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 过期

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AI study notes for 过期

Quick Contrast

失效 (shīxiào) vs 过期 (guòqī): Use 失效 when referring to something that has become invalid or ineffective due to circumstances other than just time, while 过期 specifically indicates surpassing a time limit.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 过期, as it typically carries a negative connotation, indicating something is no longer good or acceptable. A common mistake is to confuse it with '过了' (guòle), which simply means 'passed' but does not imply expiration. Use it appropriately in both formal and informal settings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 过期 connects with other terms related to time and validity, such as 有效 (yǒuxiào, valid) and 期限 (qīxiàn, deadline). Focus on using it in sentences about products or contracts to enhance your vocabulary in practical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 过期 with 过了, leading to incorrect phrases like '这个牛奶过了' (Zhège niúnǎi guòle), which lacks the expiration context. The correct usage is '这个牛奶已经过期了' (Zhège niúnǎi yǐjīng guòqīle).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 过期

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Component characters

过guò(experienced action marker)
HSK 26 strokes辶
View full entry
期qīperiod
HSK 412 strokes月
View full entry

How to say to be overdue in Chinese

“to be overdue” in Chinese is过期guòqī

The term 过期 (guòqī) refers to something that has surpassed its designated time limit, often used in the context of expiration dates for food, documents, or agreements. It signifies that the item or agreement is no longer valid or usable due to the passage of time. Commonly encountered in everyday life, such as checking the expiration date on food products.

When to use 过期

Be mindful of the context in which you use 过期, as it typically carries a negative connotation, indicating something is no longer good or acceptable. A common mistake is to confuse it with '过了' (guòle), which simply means 'passed' but does not imply expiration. Use it appropriately in both formal and informal settings.

过期 or something close to it

失效 (shīxiào) vs 过期 (guòqī): Use 失效 when referring to something that has become invalid or ineffective due to circumstances other than just time, while 过期 specifically indicates surpassing a time limit.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 过期 with 过了, leading to incorrect phrases like '这个牛奶过了' (Zhège niúnǎi guòle), which lacks the expiration context. The correct usage is '这个牛奶已经过期了' (Zhège niúnǎi yǐjīng guòqīle).

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过
期

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Frequently asked questions about 过期

You can say, '这个牛奶已经过期了' (Zhège niúnǎi yǐjīng guòqīle), which means 'This milk has expired.'

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