期待

• Reading: きたい
• Romaji: kitai
• Kanji breakdown: 期 (ki) — period, expect; 待 (tai) — wait
• Pronunciation: /ki.ta.i/

Meaning

Expectation; anticipation; hope. Looking forward to something with hope.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (期待する). Expresses both positive anticipation and the weight of expectations placed on someone. Common patterns include 期待に応える (to meet expectations), 期待を裏切る (to betray expectations), and 期待される (to be expected of). Can be used both transitively (人に期待する, to expect of someone) and intransitively.

Examples

1. 新しいプロジェクトに大きな期待をしている。 I have high expectations for the new project.
2. 親の期待に応えるために一生懸命勉強した。 I studied hard to live up to my parents' expectations.
3. 期待していたほど面白くなかった。 It wasn't as interesting as I had expected.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, work, relationships

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 期 (ki, period/expect) and 待 (tai, wait). Together, 'waiting for the expected time' — the emotional state of anticipating something hoped for.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal