期望
qíwàng · HSK 5
expectation
⏳ 期 = period/time + 望 = gaze; gazing toward a future time
期 means a set period or appointed time; 望 means to gaze into the distance. Together, looking ahead to an appointed time captures expectation and hope. The compound is also common in 希望 (xīwàng, hope).
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.
望 — 亡 (phonetic) + 月 moon + 王 king/standing figure
Originally a pictograph of a person standing on tiptoe gazing at the moon, expressing the idea of looking far into the distance. Over time the figure was reshaped and 亡 was added as a phonetic element. The meaning extended from 'gaze afar' to 'hope for' or 'expect.'