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
N3
学期
gakki
school term, semester
N3
期間
kikan
period, term, duration
N3
期限
kigen
deadline, time limit, term
N3
予期
yoki
expectation, forecast, anticipation
N3
長期
chouki
long term, long period
N3
定期
teiki
fixed term, regular period, commuter pass
N4
招待
shoutai
invitation, being invited
N5
待って
matte
wait
N5
待つ
matsu
wait