过期

Literally, 过期 breaks down into 过 (guò), meaning 'to pass', and 期 (qī), meaning 'period' or 'date'. So, it means 'to pass the date' or 'pass the period'. This gives you a direct clue that it's about something exceeding its allotted time.

No, definitely not! While food is a very common use, 过期 also applies to documents like passports and visas, financial instruments like checks or coupons, and even digital items like software licenses or temporary download links. If it has a validity date, it can 过期.

过期 specifically refers to something that has passed a *defined expiration date* or validity period. Something that is simply 'old' might be described as 老 (lǎo) or 旧 (jiù). For example, an old T-shirt isn't 过期; it's just 旧.

It's generally not recommended. While something 'out of fashion' has passed its prime, 过期 implies a strict, date-based limit. For fashion or trends, 过时 (guòshí - outdated) or 老套 (lǎotào - old-fashioned) are much better choices. Using 过期 here would sound strange.

You can use the phrase 即将过期 (jíjiāng guòqī). 即将 (jíjiāng) means 'about to' or 'imminent'. So, if your milk is 即将过期, you know you need to drink it soon before it actually 过期.

Using 过期 inappropriately, like saying a person 过期d or a concept 过期d, will likely confuse native speakers or sound quite humorous and incorrect. It shows a misunderstanding of its specific meaning tied to expiration dates.

过期 is quite versatile and generally considered neutral. You can use it in casual conversations with friends about expired snacks, and also in more formal contexts like official notices about permits or documents. Its formality depends heavily on the surrounding vocabulary and context.

过期 (guòqī) typically relates to a specific date passing. 失效 (shīxiào) means 'to lose effect' or 'become invalid', which can happen due to time passing, but also due to other reasons like a rule being revoked or a system failing. For example, a digital link might 失效 rather than 过期.

到期 (dào qī) means 'to fall due' or 'mature'. It's often used for financial matters like loans, contracts, or subscriptions reaching their maturity date. While something that 到期s might then 过期 if not renewed, 到期 focuses on the point of maturity or obligation.

Yes, sometimes! You might hear someone say their enthusiasm has 过期d, meaning it has faded or lessened over time, much like a product losing its freshness. However, this is a less common, more figurative usage.

The common term is 过期食品 (guòqī shípǐn). 食品 (shípǐn) means 'food products'. You'll often see this phrase on warning labels or when discussing food safety concerns.

You can add adverbs like 早就 (zǎo jiù - long ago) or 已经 (yǐjīng - already). For example, 这个牛奶早就过期了 (This milk expired long ago) emphasizes that it's well past its date.

In that case, 失效 (shīxiào - become invalid) is usually a better fit than 过期 (guòqī - expire). 失效 covers situations where something loses its functionality for various reasons, not just a calendar date.

Yes, absolutely. Software licenses often have expiration dates, and you would say the license 过期d. You might also hear that the software itself is 过时 (guòshí - outdated) if it's no longer supported or updated.

The vibe is generally practical and slightly negative, signaling a loss of value, safety, or usability. It's not overly dramatic, but it's a clear indicator that something is no longer fit for its intended purpose due to time.

Extremely common! The version with 了 (le), 过期了 (guòqī le), is arguably the most frequent way you'll encounter this phrase in spoken and written Chinese. It signifies the completed action of expiring.

Yes, particularly for time-limited events or offers. For example, an event ticket might 过期, or a promotional offer for an event could 过期. It signifies the end of its validity period.

The most direct opposite in context would be terms indicating freshness or validity, such as 新鲜 (xīnxiān - fresh) for food, or simply stating that something is still valid or usable, like 有效 (yǒuxiào - valid) or 没过期 (méi guòqī - not expired).

The core meaning and usage of 过期 are quite standard across Mandarin-speaking regions. While regional vocabulary exists for other concepts, 过期 is universally understood for its primary meaning of expiration.

Not directly. 过期 focuses on *what* expires, not the abstract ending of a time period. For the end of a period, you might use 期满 (qīmǎn - term expires) or 结束 (jiéshù - end). 过期 implies a loss of function *after* that period.