The Chinese word 过期 (guòqī) is a fundamental term that every learner should master early on, as it appears in daily life with high frequency. At its core, it is composed of two characters: 过 (guò), which means 'to pass' or 'to cross,' and 期 (qī), which refers to a 'period,' 'date,' or 'time limit.' When combined, they literally translate to 'past the period.' In English, we most commonly translate this as 'expired,' 'out of date,' or 'invalid' due to time. This word is essential because it applies to everything from the milk in your refrigerator to the legal status of your visa or passport.
- Literal Breakdown
- 过 (guò) - to pass / exceed; 期 (qī) - a scheduled time or period.
In a practical sense, you will encounter this word in supermarkets, pharmacies, and government offices. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object in the same way English 'expired' does. You usually say 'Something + 过期了.' The addition of the particle 了 (le) is crucial because it indicates a change of state—the item was valid, but now it has crossed into the state of being expired.
这袋牛奶已经过期了，别喝了。(Zhè dài niúnǎi yǐjīng guòqī le, bié hē le.)
Beyond physical goods, 过期 is used for temporal validity. If a coupon is no longer usable because the date has passed, it is 过期. If a password needs to be changed because it has been too long, it might be described as 过期. It is a very 'objective' word; it refers specifically to the date printed or the legal limit set, rather than a subjective feeling of something being 'old' or 'worn out.'
- Common Contexts
- Food safety, medical supplies, legal documents (visas/IDs), digital subscriptions, and promotional offers.
糟糕！我的护照下个月就要过期了。(Zāogāo! Wǒ de hùzhào xià gè yuè jiù yào guòqī le.)
It is important to distinguish 过期 from similar words like 到期 (dàoqī). While 到期 means 'to reach the deadline' (the moment of expiration), 过期 means the deadline has already been passed. Think of 到期 as the finish line and 过期 as being ten meters past the finish line. In social or metaphorical contexts, 过期 can sometimes describe information or news that is no longer relevant, though 过时 (guòshí) is more common for 'outdated' fashions or ideas.
- Grammar Note
- It is often used as an adjective modifying a noun, e.g., '过期的面包' (guòqī de miànbāo - expired bread).
这药已经过期两年了。(Zhè yào yǐjīng guòqī liǎng nián le.)
Using 过期 (guòqī) correctly requires understanding its role as both a verb indicating a change of state and an adjective that describes a noun. Because it describes a status that happens at a specific point in time, the sentence structures usually reflect that 'past-ness' or 'current state.'
- Structure 1: Subject + (已经) + 过期 + 了
- This is the most common way to say something 'has expired.' The '了' marks the transition from valid to invalid.
When you are at home and you check the milk, you would say '牛奶过期了' (Niúnǎi guòqī le). If you want to emphasize that it happened some time ago, you add '已经' (yǐjīng - already). This structure is very straightforward and follows the basic Subject-Verb-Particle pattern common in A2 level Chinese.
你的信用卡过期了，不能用了。(Nǐ de xìnyòngkǎ guòqī le, bùnéng yòng le.)
- Structure 2: 过期 + 的 + Noun
- Here, '过期' acts as an adjective. You must use the particle '的' (de) to link it to the noun it describes.
If you are warning someone not to eat something, you might say '别吃过期的食物' (Bié chī guòqī de shíwù - Don't eat expired food). This is a very useful pattern for describing objects. You can use it for '过期的护照' (expired passport), '过期的药' (expired medicine), or '过期的优惠券' (expired coupon).
- Structure 3: 过期 + Duration
- To say how long something has been expired, place the time duration after '过期'.
For example, '过期三天了' (guòqī sān tiān le) means 'expired for three days.' This is a common way to express the duration of a state. It is vital for precision in medical or legal contexts. '这瓶药过期六个月了' (This bottle of medicine has been expired for six months).
这瓶果汁已经过期一个星期了。(Zhè píng guǒzhī yǐjīng guòqī yī gè xīngqī le.)
In negative sentences, you use '没(有)' to say something has not expired yet. '还没过期' (hái méi guòqī) is a very common phrase meaning 'not yet expired.' You might say this to reassure someone: '放心吧，这盒饼干还没过期' (Don't worry, this box of cookies hasn't expired yet).
虽然快到期了，但还是没过期。(Suīrán kuài dàoqī le, dàn háishì méi guòqī.)
In the real world, 过期 (guòqī) is a word of warning and regulation. You will hear it most frequently in environments where safety and legality are prioritized. Understanding the context helps you react appropriately when a Chinese speaker uses it.
- In the Supermarket (超市)
- Supermarkets in China are very strict about '过期食品' (expired food). You might hear a staff member telling another to remove items: '这些面包快过期了，打折卖吧' (These breads are about to expire, sell them at a discount).
If you try to buy something that the scanner recognizes as expired, the cashier might say: '对不起，这个过期了，不能卖' (Sorry, this is expired, I can't sell it). This is a common scenario for fresh produce like milk or tofu, which have short shelf lives.
售货员说这种酸奶已经过期了。(Shòuhuòyuán shuō zhè zhǒng suānnǎi yǐjīng guòqī le.)
- At Government Offices or Banks
- When dealing with '证件' (zhèngjiàn - documents), 过期 is a serious matter. At an airport or border, an officer might point to your visa and say: '你的签证过期了' (Your visa is expired).
In a bank, if you try to use an old ID card, the teller will inform you: '您的身份证过期了，需要更新' (Your ID card is expired and needs to be updated). In these contexts, 过期 implies that the document no longer has legal force. It is not just 'old'; it is 'invalid.'
- Online and Apps
- On apps like Meituan or Taobao, you will often see '已过期' (Already expired) on coupons or promotional codes. If you try to use a code that doesn't work, the system might show a message: '该优惠券已过期' (This coupon has already expired).
系统显示你的验证码已经过期了。(Xìtǒng xiǎnshì nǐ de yànzhèngmǎ yǐjīng guòqī le.)
Finally, you might hear it in casual conversation about news or trends. While '过时' is more common for fashion, someone might say '这条新闻已经过期了' (This news is already 'expired'/stale) to mean that the information is no longer useful or has been superseded by newer events. However, for a beginner, focusing on its use with food and documents is the most practical approach.
- At the Pharmacy (药店)
- Pharmacists will warn you: '过期的药不能吃，会有副作用' (Expired medicine cannot be taken; there will be side effects).
别担心，这张票还没过期。(Bié dānxīn, zhè zhāng piào hái méi guòqī.)
While 过期 (guòqī) is a relatively simple concept, English speakers often make specific errors when translating the nuances of 'expired' or 'out of date' into Chinese. Avoiding these will make your Chinese sound much more natural and precise.
- Mistake 1: Confusing '过期' (guòqī) with '过时' (guòshí)
- In English, we might say a fashion style is 'out of date.' If you use '过期' for fashion, it sounds like the clothes have a biological expiration date! Use '过时' (guòshí) for trends, fashions, and old-fashioned ideas.
Example: Don't say '你的衣服过期了' (Your clothes are expired). Instead, say '你的衣服过时了' (Your clothes are out of style). '过期' is for deadlines; '过时' is for styles.
这种款式已经过时了，不是过期。(Zhè zhǒng kuǎnshì yǐjīng guòshí le, bùshì guòqī.)
- Mistake 2: Forgetting the '了' (le)
- When '过期' is used as a verb to describe a current state, you almost always need '了'. Saying '牛奶过期' sounds incomplete, like saying 'Milk expire' in English.
Correct: '牛奶过期了' (The milk has expired). The '了' indicates that the milk has reached and passed its limit. The only time you don't use '了' is in a general statement or when '过期' is an adjective (e.g., '过期的牛奶').
- Mistake 3: Confusing '过期' with '到期' (dàoqī)
- '到期' means to 'reach the date' (due). '过期' means to 'pass the date' (overdue). If your rent is due today, it's '到期.' If it was due yesterday and you didn't pay, it's '过期.'
Example: If you say '我的护照过期了' when it actually expires tomorrow, people will think it's already useless. You should say '我的护照快到期了' (My passport is about to expire/reach its date).
今天是最后一天，还没过期，只是到期了。(Jīntiān shì zuìhòu yī tiān, hái méi guòqī, zhǐshì dàoqī le.)
- Mistake 4: Using '过期' for 'Old' or 'Ancient'
- Never use '过期' to describe an old building or an old person. Use '老' (lǎo) or '古老' (gǔlǎo). '过期' is strictly for things with a specific time limit or deadline.
这台电脑很旧了，但不能说它过期了。(Zhè tái diànnǎo hěn jiù le, dàn bùnéng shuō tā guòqī le.)
To truly master Chinese vocabulary, you need to know not just one word, but the family of words that surround it. 过期 (guòqī) has several close relatives that are used in slightly different contexts.
- 1. 到期 (dàoqī)
- Meaning: To become due; to reach the deadline. Use this for the exact moment something expires or for the process of reaching that date.
Example: '我的贷款明天到期' (My loan is due tomorrow). This is neutral. '过期' is usually negative because it means you missed the deadline.
合同下周五到期。(Hétóng xià zhōu wǔ dàoqī.)
- 2. 过时 (guòshí)
- Meaning: Out of date; old-fashioned; obsolete. Use this for fashion, technology, or ideas.
Example: '这种手机已经过时了' (This kind of phone is already obsolete). It still works, but it's not modern. '过期' would mean it's literally not allowed to be used anymore.
他的想法太过时了。(Tā de xiǎngfǎ tài guòshí le.)
- 3. 失效 (shīxiào)
- Meaning: To lose efficacy; to become invalid. This is more formal and often used for laws, medicines, or technical functions.
Example: '法律条款失效了' (The legal clause has become invalid). While '过期' focuses on the *time* passing, '失效' focuses on the *loss of power or effect*.
- 4. 作废 (zuòfèi)
- Meaning: To become void; to cancel. This is often used for tickets or documents that are intentionally cancelled or naturally become void.
Example: '这张票已经作废了' (This ticket is now void). It’s a very strong term often seen in official notices.
逾期不取，车票作废。(Yúqī bù qǔ, chēpiào zuòfèi.)
In summary, choose 过期 for common daily items like food and IDs when the date has passed. Use 到期 for approaching deadlines, 过时 for fashion, and 失效 or 作废 for more formal or technical contexts of invalidity.
مثالها بر اساس سطح
牛奶过期了。
The milk has expired.
Subject + Verb + 了 (le)
面包过期了吗？
Has the bread expired?
Question with 吗 (ma)
这个没过期。
This hasn't expired.
Negation with 没 (méi)
苹果还没过期。
The apples haven't expired yet.
还 (hái) + 没 (méi) = not yet
别吃过期的东西。
Don't eat expired things.
过期 + 的 (de) + Noun
鸡蛋过期两天了。
The eggs have been expired for two days.
Duration after the verb
水过期了吗？
Is the water expired?
Simple question
果汁过期了，扔掉吧。
The juice is expired; throw it away.
Command with 吧 (ba)
我的护照过期了。
My passport has expired.
Common document context
这种药已经过期一个月了。
This medicine has already been expired for a month.
已经 (yǐjīng) + Duration
过期的牛奶不能喝。
Expired milk cannot be drunk.
Adjectival use with 不能 (bùnéng)
你的签证什么时候过期？
When does your visa expire?
Question with 什么时候 (shénme shíhou)
这张优惠券过期了。
This coupon has expired.
Common shopping context
超市里有过期的面包。
There is expired bread in the supermarket.
Existential sentence with 有 (yǒu)
这瓶可乐过期了吗？
Has this bottle of cola expired?
Standard question
我的身份证下个月过期。
My ID card expires next month.
Future event without 了
如果不及时续费，你的会员就会过期。
If you don't renew in time, your membership will expire.
Condition with 如果 (rúguǒ)
这张银行卡已经过期了，不能取钱。
This bank card has already expired; I can't withdraw money.
Resultative clause
系统提示我的密码已经过期。
The system prompted that my password has already expired.
Reporting a system status
这盒巧克力快过期了，我们快点吃吧。
This box of chocolates is about to expire; let's eat it quickly.
快...了 (kuài...le) = about to
这种药过期后会失去药效。
This medicine will lose its effectiveness after it expires.
过期 + 后 (hòu) = after expiring
由于签证过期，他不得不回国。
Because his visa expired, he had to return to his country.
Cause and effect with 由于 (yóuyú)
你检查过这些食品的过期日期吗？
Have you checked the expiration dates of these foods?
过期日期 (guòqī rìqī) = expiration date
过期的化妆品对皮肤不好。
Expired cosmetics are bad for the skin.
Topic-comment structure
合同已经过期，我们需要重新签署。
The contract has already expired; we need to re-sign it.
Formal business context
这个软件的试用期已经过期了。
The trial period for this software has already expired.
试用期 (shìyòngqī) = trial period
如果法律条款过期，它就没有任何约束力。
If a legal clause expires, it no longer has any binding force.
Conditional with 约束力 (yuēshùlì)
这家店专门处理即将过期的商品。
This shop specializes in handling near-expiry goods.
即将 (jíjiāng) = about to (formal)
过期的信息可能会误导用户。
Expired information might mislead users.
Abstract usage of 过期
他因为持有过期的护照被海关拦下了。
He was stopped by customs because he held an expired passport.
持有 (chíyǒu) = to hold/possess
过期的疫苗可能无法提供足够的保护。
Expired vaccines may not provide enough protection.
Medical context
虽然技术没过期，但市场已经变了。
Although the technology isn't 'expired' (obsolete), the market has changed.
Contrastive usage
专利过期后，其他公司可以生产仿制药。
After the patent expires, other companies can produce generic drugs.
Economic/Legal context
诉讼时效一旦过期，原告就失去了起诉权。
Once the statute of limitations expires, the plaintiff loses the right to sue.
一旦...就... (yīdàn...jiù...) = once... then...
这种管理模式在现代社会已经完全过期了。
This management model has completely expired (become obsolete) in modern society.
Metaphorical/Sociological usage
政府正在讨论如何处理过期的化学武器。
The government is discussing how to dispose of expired chemical weapons.
High-level political context
过期并不总是意味着变质，但安全第一。
Expiring doesn't always mean spoiling, but safety comes first.
Logical distinction
由于系统升级，旧版本的授权码已过期。
Due to a system upgrade, the old version's authorization codes have expired.
Technical context
他的理论虽然没有过期，但需要新的解释。
Although his theory hasn't 'expired,' it needs a new interpretation.
Academic nuance
商家不得销售过期食品，否则将面临重罚。
Businesses must not sell expired food, otherwise they will face heavy fines.
Regulatory language
在历史的长河中，许多显赫一时的文明最终都走向了过期。
In the long river of history, many once-prominent civilizations eventually 'expired' (faded away).
Poetic/Philosophical usage
这种所谓的‘过期’概念，实际上是消费主义的一种策略。
This so-called 'expiration' concept is actually a strategy of consumerism.
Critical analysis
过期的不仅是实物，更是那些无法挽回的机遇。
What expires is not just physical objects, but those irrecoverable opportunities.
Literary metaphor
法律的滞后性往往导致某些条款在实施前就已过期。
The lag in law often causes certain clauses to be 'expired' (obsolete) even before implementation.
Legal philosophy
我们必须警惕那些过期的思想对现代决策的负面影响。
We must be wary of the negative impact of expired ideas on modern decision-making.
Intellectual discourse
该协议的过期标志着一个外交时代的终结。
The expiration of this agreement marks the end of a diplomatic era.
High-level historical context
过期的药品若处理不当，将对生态系统造成深远危害。
If expired medicines are handled improperly, they will cause profound harm to the ecosystem.
Environmental science
他感受到一种过期的悲哀，仿佛自己已被时代抛弃。
He felt an 'expired' sadness, as if he had already been abandoned by the era.
Existential tone
مثال
这张优惠券已经过期了。
محتوای مرتبط
عبارات مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر time
很久
A1به معنای 'مدت طولانی' یا 'برای مدتی طولانی' است.
之后
A1After; subsequent to.
年老
A1Old (of people).
日程表
A1فهرستی که فعالیتها و زمانهای برنامهریزی شده برای یک روز یا هفته را نشان میدهد.
约定
A1توافق بر سر زمان؛ تعیین وقت قبلی.
超前
B1جلوتر از زمان یا برنامه بودن.
提前
A1انجام کاری زودتر از موعد یا جلو انداختن یک برنامه.
随着
B1随着 (suízhe) به معنای 'همراه با' یا 'به موازات' است. برای نشان دادن دو تغییری که همزمان رخ میدهند استفاده میشود.
古老
A1Ancient; age-old.
周年
A1سالگرد (برای رویدادها یا سازمانها).
