迫不及待

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: pò bù jí dài
• English Translation: Unable to wait, impatient, eager to do something immediately
• Idiom Composition: 「迫」（To press, to urge）＋「不」（Cannot, not able to）＋「及」（To reach, to catch up）＋「待」（To wait）
• Meaning: Describes a situation where one cannot wait any longer due to urgency. It expresses a strong desire for something to happen or be realized as soon as possible.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「迫不及待」 contains the following nuances:

• Strong anticipation: Expresses a state of eagerly awaiting something.
• Uncontrollable emotions: Indicates feelings such as excitement or joy that cannot be restrained, prompting immediate action.
• Urgency: Also used to indicate situations that are urgent and require immediate response.

3. Usage

「迫不及待」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Desires and expectations: Used to express strong desire for something and impatience to see it realized.
  • Example:「他迫不及待地想要知道考试结果。」
    （He is eagerly waiting to know the exam results.）
• Describing actions: Describes someone acting immediately due to impatience.
  • Example:「她迫不及待地分享了她的好消息。」
    （She couldn't wait and shared her good news immediately.）
• Urgent situations: Used to describe situations requiring urgent action.
  • Example:「由于天气突变，我们必须迫不及待地采取行动。」
    （Due to sudden weather changes, we must take immediate action.）

Additional Examples:

1. 新产品发布后，顾客们迫不及待地想要购买。
   （After the new product was released, customers were eager to buy it.）
2. 面对即将到来的考试，学生们迫不及待地复习。
   （Facing the upcoming exam, students are impatiently reviewing.）
3. 听到这个好消息，他迫不及待地想告诉家人。
   （Upon hearing the good news, he was eager to tell his family immediately.）
4. 孩子们迫不及待地打开了生日礼物。
   （The children couldn't wait and opened their birthday presents.）
5. 比赛一开始，运动员们就迫不及待地冲了出去。
   （As soon as the match started, the athletes impatiently rushed out.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Opposite concepts of '迫不及待': In traditional Chinese culture, calm and unhurried attitudes such as '从容不迫' (calm and unhurried) and '不急不躁' (not anxious or restless) are valued. '迫不及待' contrasts with these by expressing urgency and impatience.
• Avoid overuse: Since '迫不及待' conveys strong emotions, excessive use may seem exaggerated. It is best used appropriately according to the context.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 急不可待 (jí bù kě dài): Extremely urgent and unable to wait.
  • 心急如焚 (xīn jí rú fén): Feeling anxious as if one's heart is burning; extremely impatient.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 从容不迫 (cóng róng bú pò): Calm and unhurried; composed and relaxed.
  • 慢条斯理 (màn tiáo sī lǐ): Slow and deliberate; performing tasks calmly and steadily.

6. Summary

'迫不及待' is an expression used to describe a strong eagerness or an urgent situation where one cannot wait any longer. It depicts feelings of intense anticipation that prompt immediate action or a state of urgency that makes waiting impossible. When using this idiom, it is important to apply it appropriately according to the context. Additionally, traditional Chinese values emphasize calmness and composure, which is useful to keep in mind.