Translation guide
The English word 'eager' describes a strong desire or enthusiasm to do something or for something to happen. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives, verbs, and phrases that convey keenness, impatience, or wholehearted interest. The best choice depends on whether the eagerness is positive anticipation, a strong wish, or an impatient longing.
Expressing that you are keen and enthusiastic about doing something, often with a sense of happy anticipation.
This is the most natural way to say you are eagerly looking forward to doing something. It implies positive anticipation.
週末にハイキングに行くのを楽しみにしています。
I'm eagerly looking forward to going hiking this weekend.
Describes being eager or enthusiastic about doing something, often used when someone is keen to participate or agrees readily.
彼はその計画にとても乗り気だ。
He is very eager about the plan.
Expresses an intense, almost uncontrollable desire to do something. Stronger than 'looking forward to'.
新しいゲームを遊びたくてたまらない。
I'm dying to play the new game.
Expressing a strong wish or desire for a particular outcome or event, often with impatience.
A formal and strong expression meaning to long for or eagerly desire something. Common in written language.
彼は昇進を切望している。
He is eager for a promotion.
To eagerly await something, often with a sense of counting down the days. More emotional than 楽しみにしている.
子どもたちはクリスマスを心待ちにしている。
The children are eagerly awaiting Christmas.
Describing a strong desire to acquire knowledge or information, often with intellectual curiosity.
Means enthusiastic, keen, or eager, often used for studying or pursuing interests. A very common and positive word.
彼女は熱心な学生だ。
She is an eager student.
Describes someone who is motivated and eager to take on challenges, often used in work or academic contexts.
An emphatic way to say you are dying to know something. Very colloquial.
結果を知りたくて仕方がない。
I'm eager to know the results.
Describing eagerness that is excessive, impatient, or pushy, often with a nuance of being too keen.
Means to be in a hurry or impatient, often with a negative connotation of being too eager and making mistakes.
あまりあせらないでください。
Don't be too eager/impatient.
A colloquial verb meaning to be greedy or overly eager, often for food or opportunities. Can sound crude.
彼は昇進にがっついている。
He is overly eager for a promotion.
There is no single Japanese adjective that covers all uses of 'eager'. Translating directly as 'eager' often leads to unnatural Japanese. Instead, choose a phrase that matches the specific nuance: anticipation, desire, or enthusiasm.
彼は熱心だ。
He is eager (enthusiastic).
彼は待ち遠しそうだ。
He looks eager (can't wait).
An adjective meaning something is eagerly awaited; you can't wait for it. Often used for events.
夏休みが待ち遠しい。
I can't wait for summer vacation.
彼は新しいプロジェクトに意欲的だ。
He is eager to take on the new project.