迫不及待
迫不及待 (pò bù jí dài) literally means “urgent cannot reach waiting” and expresses “can't wait; eager”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
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Can't wait; eager
Pronunciation: pò bù jí dài Literal meaning: Urgent cannot reach waiting
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes urgency (迫) so great that one cannot (不及) wait (待). It captures the psychological state of intense anticipation or impatience. The phrase appeared in Ming Dynasty literature describing characters driven by time pressure or excitement. It represents the peak of eagerness where delay becomes intolerable. Modern usage describes intense anticipation, impatience to begin something, or excitement that cannot be contained.
Examples
English: "She couldn't wait to share the good news with her family."
Chinese: 她迫不及待地想和家人分享这个好消息。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 迫不及待 mean in English?
迫不及待 (pò bù jí dài) literally translates to “Urgent cannot reach waiting” and is used to express “Can't wait; eager”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 迫不及待 used?
Situation: She couldn't wait to share the good news with her family.
What is the pinyin for 迫不及待?
The pinyin pronunciation for 迫不及待 is “pò bù jí dài”.