Meaning

Primary

Expectation

Alternative

Anticipation

Word Type

noun, verbal noun

Explanation

For a period of time you have to wait. During this waiting period, you’re building up an expectation or anticipation for something to happen a certain way. Waiting, expecting, waiting, expecting…

期待 specifically refers to the feeling of expectation or anticipation for a desired outcome.

Reading

きたい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 期待をする

    to have expectations

    期待をかける

    to hang one's hopes on something

    期待を持つ

    to have expectations

Context Sentences

あの大学院生には、もっと期待してたのに。

I expected more from the grad student.

この前わざわざ日本からとりよせた新しいおやつは期待外れでした。

The new snack that I bought and had sent all the way from Japan the other day was not as good as I anticipated.

ウォール・ストリートは常にトップレベルの人材を求めていますが、コウイチならきっとそこでも期待に応えられると思います。

Wall Street always needs top-level talent and I’m pretty sure that Koichi will be able to live up to those expectations.

Kanji Composition