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
N1
期日
kijitsu
fixed date, settlement date
N1
期末
kimatsu
(end of the season or term)
N1
待遇
taiguu
treatment, reception
N1
待望
taibou
long-expected, waiting
N1
周期
shuuki
cycle, period
N1
待ち合わせ
machiawase
appointment
N1
待ち遠しい
machidooshii
looking forward to
N1
待ち望む
machinozomu
to look anxiously for, to wait eagerly for
N1
末期
makki
deathbed, hour of death