过期

Alright, let's talk about the word 过期 (guò qī). It means "expired" or "out of date." Super practical, and you're going to hear it a lot in everyday Chinese. It's not just for food, either. Let's break down where you'll encounter this word in different situations.

§ Basic Meaning of 过期

Definition

Expired; out of date.

You might first think of this word when you're checking food. And you'd be right! That's a very common use. But it pops up in other places too. Think about things that have a time limit or a validity period.

§ 过期 in the Supermarket or Kitchen

This is probably the most frequent place you'll hear or use 过期 (guò qī). When you're buying groceries, especially fresh produce, dairy, or anything packaged, you'll definitely be looking at expiration dates.

• Checking food dates:

  这个牛奶过期了。

  This milk is expired.

• Warning about food:

  别吃那个面包，它过期了。

  Don't eat that bread, it's expired.

In shops, if something is past its date, you might hear staff talking about it or see signs. It's a key word for food safety.

§ 过期 in Everyday Documents and Services

Beyond food, 过期 (guò qī) is very common for anything that has a validity period. Think about official documents, memberships, or even subscriptions.

• Passport or visa:

  我的护照快过期了，需要续签。

  My passport is about to expire, I need to renew it.

• Library card or membership:

  这张会员卡已经过期了。

  This membership card has already expired.

• Medical prescriptions:

  药过期了就不能吃了。

  If the medicine is expired, you can't take it.

§ 过期 in Formal or Business Contexts

In work or business settings, 过期 (guò qī) can refer to contracts, deadlines, or even intellectual property.

• Contracts:

  这个合同上个月就过期了。

  This contract expired last month.

• Deadlines: (often used with specific terms)

  提交申请的日期已经过期了。

  The application submission date has already passed (expired).

You'll often hear this in news reports too, especially concerning laws, regulations, or international agreements that have a time limit.

So, whether you're checking your lunch, your travel documents, or an important work contract, 过期 (guò qī) is the word you need when something's validity has run out. Keep an ear out for it, and you'll notice it everywhere!

§ Don't confuse 过期 with similar-sounding words

Many learners, especially at the A2 level, might mix up 过期 (guòqī) with other words that sound a bit alike or have similar components. For example, some might confuse it with 过时 (guòshí), which means 'outmoded' or 'old-fashioned.' While both relate to things being no longer current, 过期 specifically refers to an expiration date, often for food, medicine, or official documents. 过时 is more about style, trends, or technology becoming outdated.

This piece of clothing is already (outmoded/old-fashioned).

The key is to remember that 期 (qī) in 过期 refers to a period or a specific date.

§ Using 过期 as a noun

While 过期 is a verb (to expire), it's often used attributively before a noun to describe something that is expired. However, you can't typically use 过期 by itself as a noun. For instance, you wouldn't say "这是一个过期" (zhè shì yī gè guòqī) to mean "This is an expired item." You need to specify the noun.

This is (expired) milk.

Correct Usage

过期 + 的 + Noun (expired + noun)

§ Overusing it in every 'out of date' context

Sometimes learners tend to use 过期 for any situation where something is no longer valid or current. Remember, 过期 specifically implies an expiration date or a time limit that has passed. If you're talking about something no longer being fashionable, use 过时. If a trend or a piece of information is no longer relevant, you might use expressions like 不流行了 (bù liúxíng le - no longer popular) or 信息过时了 (xìnxī guòshí le - information is outdated).

§ Forgetting the object when it's a verb

When 过期 acts as a verb, it usually needs an object that is expiring. You wouldn't typically say "这个过期了" (zhège guòqī le) without a clear context. While context can sometimes make it obvious, it's better to be explicit, especially in the early stages of learning.

My passport (has expired).

Remember

Subject + 过期 + 了 (Subject + expired + particle for completion)

In summary, while 过期 seems straightforward, paying attention to its specific meaning (expiration date) and grammatical function (verb or attributive adjective) will help you avoid common mistakes. Practice using it with different types of nouns that have expiration dates, such as food, medicine, and documents. This focused practice will solidify your understanding and make your Chinese sound more natural.

• 食物 (shíwù - food)
• 药品 (yàopǐn - medicine)
• 证件 (zhèngjiàn - documents)
• 牛奶 (niúnǎi - milk)
• 酸奶 (suānnǎi - yogurt)
• 驾照 (jiàzhào - driver's license)

§ Understanding 过期 in Context

When you're learning Chinese, sometimes words seem to have similar meanings. But just like in English, there are always subtle differences in how and when you use them. Let's break down 过期 and compare it to some related terms so you know exactly when to use it.

DEFINITION

过期 (guòqī): To expire; to be out of date. This word specifically refers to something passing its designated time limit or validity period.

§ 过期 vs. 变质 (biànzhì)

While 过期 means something has passed its expiration date, 变质 (biànzhì) means something has gone bad or spoiled. They are related but not interchangeable.

DEFINITION

变质 (biànzhì): To spoil; to go bad (usually referring to food or other perishable items).

An item can be 过期 but not yet 变质, or it can 变质 before its 过期 date. Think of it like this:

• Something is 过期 when the calendar says it's past its date.
• Something is 变质 when it looks, smells, or tastes bad.

§ 过期 vs. 陈旧 (chénjiù)

陈旧 (chénjiù) means old-fashioned or antiquated, referring to something being out of style or very old. It doesn't imply an expiration date like 过期 does.

DEFINITION

陈旧 (chénjiù): Old-fashioned; antiquated; stale (in a figurative sense, like old news).

You would use 陈旧 for things like clothing styles, ideas, or furniture that are just old, not something that has a legal or safety expiration.

§ 过期 vs. 失效 (shīxiào)

失效 (shīxiào) means to become invalid or ineffective. It's quite close to 过期, and sometimes they can be used interchangeably, especially for documents or contracts. However, 失效 has a broader application and can refer to something simply losing its effect or power, even if it didn't have a strict 'expiration date'.

DEFINITION

失效 (shīxiào): To become invalid; to lose effect; to be no longer effective.

While a passport 过期 (expires), a contract might 失效 (become invalid) if certain conditions aren't met, not necessarily because a date passed.

• A driver's license can 过期.
• An agreement can 失效 if a party breaches its terms.

So, in summary, 过期 is your go-to word for anything that has a set time limit and that time limit has passed. Keep these distinctions in mind, and you'll sound much more natural in your Chinese conversations!