Definitions

(noun) period; time; term
(noun) phase; stage
(verb) to hope

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

期 is a phono-semantic compound. The semantic component 月 (yuè), meaning moon or month, connects it to the concept of time. The phonetic component 元 (qí) indicates its pronunciation. Originally, the character referred to a complete temporal cycle, such as a full year or month. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass any designated period, a scheduled date, or a fixed term. Because scheduling involves looking toward the future, it also came to convey the sense of anticipation or expectation.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

今天是星五。

Jīntiān shì xīngqīwǔ.

Today is Friday.

待你的回复。

Wǒ qīdài nǐ de huífù.

I look forward to your reply.

在此间请保持安静。

Zài cǐ qījiān qǐng bǎochí ānjìng.

During this period, please keep quiet.

项目的限是下个月。

Xiàngmù de qīxiàn shì xià gè yuè.

The project deadline is next month.

我们即将面临末考试。

Wǒmen jíjiāng miànlín qīmò kǎoshì.

We are about to face the final exams.

父母总是望孩子成功。

Fùmǔ zǒng shì qīwàng háizi chénggōng.

Parents always hope for their children's success.

合作需要相互信任。

Chángqī hézuò xūyào xiānghù xìnrèn.

Long-term cooperation requires mutual trust.

这本刊定发表研究成果。

Zhè běn qīkān dìngqī fābiǎo yánjiū chéngguǒ.

This journal regularly publishes research findings.