巴不得 bābudé to be eager for
(colloquial) to be eager for; to long for; to look forward to
How to remember 巴不得: 巴 wait for + 不 not + 得 get = to be eager for.
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How it is used
- Colloquial: to be dying/eager for something to happen - 他巴不得马上放假 (tā bābude mǎshàng fàngjià) he can't wait for the holiday to start.
- Expresses intense wishing, usually for something the speaker would welcome; often followed by a whole clause of the desired outcome.
- Contrast 恨不得 (hènbude), which is 'wish one could (but can't)' for something one would do oneself, often exaggerated/frustrated; 巴不得 is simply eager longing for an event.