Objective To identify patients′ expectation for dignity and to provide reference for targeted intervention. Methods A total of 442 inpatients were surveyed by utilizing the Mandarin version of the Inpatient Dignity Scale. Results The median score of expectation for dignity was 48.00 (P25-P75:40.00-53.00) and the median score of satisfaction with dignity was 71.00 (P25-P75: 61.00-75.00). Regression analysis showed that gender, monthly family per capita income, and hospitalization departments were the influencing factors of inpatients′ dignity expectations (P<0.05 for all); hospitalization experience, financial burden, and education level were influencing factors of inpatients′ dignity satisfaction (P<0.05 for all). Conclusion Inpatients had a moderate level of dignity expectation but a high level of dignity satisfaction. Clinical nurses should provide individualized and targeted intervention based on patient′s situation, thus to meet their dignity expectation and enhance their satisfaction.