期待
qídài · HSK 4
look forward to
⏳ 期 = period/time + 待 = await; together: awaiting the time to come
期 means a set period or appointed time; 待 means to wait. Combined, 期待 literally reads as awaiting an appointed time — hence look forward to or anticipate something scheduled ahead.
期 — 其 (phonetic) + 月 (moon/time)
期 is a phono-semantic compound. The right side 月 (moon) signals meaning, since lunar cycles marked fixed time periods in ancient China. The left side 其 supplies the sound. Together it points to a set time, period, or appointed date — meanings still carried today in words like 期间 and 日期.
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.