恨不得 hènbude wishing one could do something
wishing one could do something; to hate to be unable; itching to do something
How to remember 恨不得: 恨 to dislike + 不 not + 得 get = wishing one could do something.
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How it is used
- "Wish one could (but can't)" - expresses an intense, exaggerated urge that reality blocks - 我恨不得马上飞回家 (wǒ hènbude mǎshàng fēi huí jiā) I'm dying to fly straight home.
- Always hyperbolic and about oneself's craving to do something impossible/extreme.
- Compare 巴不得 (bābude), which is wishing for something that actually could happen; 恨不得 stresses the frustrated impossibility.