有待
yǒudài · HSK 7
await
⏳ 有待 = 有 (have) + 待 (wait) = having something still waiting to be done
有 means have, 待 means wait or await. Together they mark a task that is held in a waiting state, still on the to-do list. 待 also shows up in 等待 (deng dai), to wait.
有 — hand 𠂇 + moon/meat 月
Originally depicted a hand holding a piece of meat (月 here is the 'meat' radical, not moon), expressing the idea of possessing something. Over time the meaning broadened from 'to hold/possess' to the general sense of 'to have' or 'there is/exists'.
待 — chì 彳 (step) + 寺 sì (temple/phonetic)
待 combines the 'step' radical 彳, suggesting movement or a path, with 寺, which serves as the phonetic component. Originally it conveyed the idea of stopping along a road, which extended to 'waiting.' Over time it also took on related meanings like 'to treat' or 'to deal with' someone.