Word
期待
Meaning in Englishexpectation, hope, anticipation
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 期待 mean? It denotes the state of looking forward to something, an expectation or anticipation that something will occur, often carrying a hopeful or confident tone.
Main meanings
- anticipation toward a future event or outcome
- hope or confidence that something will turn out as desired
- in formal contexts, a standard of performance or forecast that is expected to be met
How to use it
Used as a noun to express expectation or anticipation about future events; in casual conversation it appears in everyday talk, while in formal writing or business contexts it discusses forecasts, goals, and outcomes; the verb form is created with 期待する to express the action of expecting.
Variants and close terms
- 希望 (kibō) — hope
- 期待する (kitai suru) — to expect
- 失望 (shitsubō) — disappointment
Composition
- 期: time, term, designated point in time
- 待: to wait, to await
- Together they form a concept of waiting for a designated time, i.e., an expectation
Etymology
期 (time/term) + 待 (to wait) combine into a Sino-Japanese kitai compound; the pronunciation follows on'yomi readings ki and tai, yielding the current kitai reading.
Word class
noun (名詞); can form a verb with suru: 期待する
Related words by kanji and components
N2
～期
～ki
~age, ~period
N2
お待たせしました
omataseshimashita
Sorry to have kept you waiting
N2
お待ちください
omachikudasai
Please wait a moment
N2
短期
tanki
short term
N2
定期券
teikiken
commuter pass, season ticket
N2
待合室
machiaishitsu
waiting room
N2
待ち合わせる
machiawaseru
to rendezvous, to meet at a prearranged place and time
N3
時期
jiki
time, season, period
N3
延期
enki
postponement, delay