noun / time word HSK 4
Traditional 未來
future · coming · approaching
Meaning
未来 refers to the time that has not yet come, the period ahead of the present moment. It can refer to the immediate future (tomorrow, next week) or the distant future (decades, centuries ahead). It's one of the most common ways to express 'the future' in Mandarin.
Usage
未来 is used in both formal and informal contexts. It commonly appears in phrases like 未来的计划 (future plans) or 在未来 (in the future). It can function as a noun or as a time word modifying other elements. Unlike 将来, which is slightly more formal and often refers to a more distant future, 未来 is neutral and versatile.
Examples
- 01我们要为未来做好准备。.We need to prepare well for the future.
- 02科技将会改变未来的生活方式。.Technology will change future lifestyles.
Characters
Common collocations
- 在未来in the future
- 未来的发展future development
- 展望未来to look ahead to the future
- 未来世界future world
Antonyms
Origin
未来 literally means 'not yet come,' combining 未 (not yet) with 来 (to come). This straightforward construction reflects the concept of time that hasn't arrived yet.