Meaning and Usage
"到期" (dàoqī) means "to reach the due date" or "to expire." It is commonly used in contexts involving deadlines, contracts, loans, or any situation where a fixed period ends.
Common Contexts
You will often see "到期" used with financial products like credit cards, loans, or contracts. It indicates the point in time when an agreement or validity period ends.
Collocations and Patterns
- 合同到期 (contract expiration): used when a contract period ends.
- 贷款到期 (loan maturity): refers to the time when a loan must be repaid.
- 到期还款 (repayment at maturity): paying back money when the due date arrives.
Usage Notes
"到期" is a formal term often used in written and official contexts. It usually appears after the noun it modifies (e.g., 合同到期). It is not used for casual expiration like food spoilage.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "到期" with "过期". While both relate to expiration, "到期" emphasizes the arrival of the due date, often planned or expected, whereas "过期" means something has passed its expiration and is no longer valid or safe.