Meanings of 迫不及待
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Podcast: 迫不及待
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AI study notes for 迫不及待
急不可耐 (jíbùkěnài): use 迫不及待 when emphasizing a sense of urgency or impatience that is almost overwhelming, while 急不可耐 conveys a similar meaning but may imply a slightly more intense or unbearable state of impatience.
This idiom is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, often in informal contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with other expressions of impatience; remember it specifically denotes an inability to wait. Also, ensure the tones are pronounced correctly to avoid misunderstandings.
As an HSK Level 6 idiom, 迫不及待 connects well with other advanced expressions related to emotions and urgency. Students should practice using it in full sentences to convey feelings of excitement or anticipation in various contexts.
Learners often misuse 迫不及待 by combining it with inappropriate contexts, such as using it for mild impatience instead of strong eagerness. For example, saying '我迫不及待地想吃饭' (I can't wait to eat) is correct, while using it to describe a minor delay would be inappropriate.
Pronunciation of 迫不及待
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Idiom spotlight: 迫不及待
Component characters
How to say impatient (idiom); in a hurry in Chinese
“impatient (idiom); in a hurry” in Chinese is迫不及待
迫不及待 is an idiom that expresses a strong sense of impatience or urgency to do something. It conveys the feeling of being so eager that one cannot wait any longer, often used in contexts where anticipation is high, such as waiting for an event or news.
When to use 迫不及待
This idiom is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, often in informal contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with other expressions of impatience; remember it specifically denotes an inability to wait. Also, ensure the tones are pronounced correctly to avoid misunderstandings.
迫不及待 or something close to it
急不可耐 (jíbùkěnài): use 迫不及待 when emphasizing a sense of urgency or impatience that is almost overwhelming, while 急不可耐 conveys a similar meaning but may imply a slightly more intense or unbearable state of impatience.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 迫不及待 by combining it with inappropriate contexts, such as using it for mild impatience instead of strong eagerness. For example, saying '我迫不及待地想吃饭' (I can't wait to eat) is correct, while using it to describe a minor delay would be inappropriate.
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Grammar patterns of 迫不及待
迫不及待 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
睡了一夜好觉后，保罗说他已经____了。
After a good night's sleep, Paul said he was raring to go.
Example sentences for 迫不及待 (10)
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Frequently asked questions about 迫不及待
It's generally more suitable for informal situations, so consider using it in conversations rather than formal writing.
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