見込み

• Reading: みこみ
• Romaji: mikomi
• Kanji breakdown: 見 (mi) — see, look; 込 (ko) — crowded, enter into
• Pronunciation: /mi.ko.mi/

Meaning

Prospect; hope; expectation; likelihood. An estimate of what will happen in the future.

A noun derived from the verb 見込む (to expect/to estimate). Used to express probability, potential, or predicted outcomes. Common patterns include 見込みがある (there is hope), 見込みがない (there is no chance), and 回復の見込み (prospect of recovery). Frequently appears in news, business reports, and medical contexts.

Examples

1. 今年度の売上は前年を上回る見込みです。 Sales this fiscal year are expected to exceed last year's.
2. 彼女が回復する見込みは十分にある。 There is every prospect of her making a full recovery.
3. 合格の見込みが薄いと言われて落ち込んだ。 I was told the chances of passing were slim, and I felt down.

Usage Guide

Context: business, news, medicine, planning

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 見 (mi, to see) + 込む (komu, to go into/to include). Literally 'what one sees going forward,' evolving into the meaning of a future outlook or expectation based on current observation.

Cultural Context

Era: Early Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal