# 迫不及待

pò bù jí dài

Be too eager to wait

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** So urgent that one cannot wait

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Describe excited eagerness to act.

Usually anticipation, not a medical emergency.

## Understanding the expression

The person’s anticipation makes even a short delay feel difficult. The expression commonly appears before seeing a friend, opening a gift, trying a new activity, or sharing good news. It emphasizes eagerness rather than impatience caused by irritation. Although the wording suggests urgency, the event need not be objectively urgent. A person can be eager to begin while still waiting politely and respecting the needs of others.

## Examples

孩子迫不及待地拆礼物。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子迫不及待地拆禮物。

hái zi pò bù jí dài dì chāi lǐ wù 。

The child could hardly wait to open the gift.

她迫不及待地分享好消息。

tā pò bù jí dài dì fēn xiǎng hǎo xiāo xī 。

She eagerly shared the good news without waiting.

我迫不及待想看新展览。

### Traditional Chinese

我迫不及待想看新展覽。

wǒ pò bù jí dài xiǎng kàn xīn zhǎn lǎn 。

I cannot wait to see the new exhibition.

他迫不及待地尝了第一口。

### Traditional Chinese

他迫不及待地嚐了第一口。

tā pò bù jí dài dì cháng le dì yī kǒu 。

He eagerly took the first bite.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%BF%AB%E4%B8%8D%E5%8F%8A%E5%BE%85)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=743&webMd=1&la=0)

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