Translation guide
The English word 'expectation' covers a range of meanings from anticipating a future event to holding a standard or requirement. In Japanese, different words and patterns are used depending on whether you are talking about a personal hope, a social norm, a predicted outcome, or a formal requirement. This guide helps you choose the most natural expression for each situation.
Expressing that you think something will happen and often looking forward to it, or simply believing it will occur.
The most common word for positive expectation or hope. Often used when you are looking forward to something good happening.
彼の新しい映画に期待している。
I have high expectations for his new movie.
来年の成長に期待しましょう。
Let's hope for growth next year.
Used when you have a logical reason to expect something to happen. It conveys a strong belief based on evidence or common sense.
彼はもうすぐ来るはずだ。
He should be here soon (I expect he will come soon).
この薬を飲めば治るはずです。
If you take this medicine, you should get better (I expect you will recover).
Refers to a prediction or forecast, often based on analysis or data. More neutral than 期待, and can be used for both positive and negative outcomes.
今年の売上は予想を上回った。
This year's sales exceeded expectations.
天気予想によると明日は雨だ。
According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
A plain conjecture meaning 'probably' or 'I expect'. Used in casual or written contexts to express a personal guess.
明日は晴れるだろう。
It will probably be sunny tomorrow (I expect it will be sunny).
Often used in business or formal contexts to mean 'prospect' or 'expectation' regarding future outcomes, such as sales or recovery.
早期の回復の見込みは薄い。
There is little prospect of an early recovery.
Referring to a duty, norm, or level of performance that is required or anticipated from a person.
Also used for expectations placed on someone, often with a sense of pressure or hope.
親の期待に応えたい。
I want to live up to my parents' expectations.
彼にはもっと期待していた。
I expected more from him.
Means 'demand' or 'requirement'. Stronger than 期待, implying something that must be done.
Refers to a social norm or standard of behavior. Used in formal or academic contexts.
Referring to the mathematical concept of expected value or likelihood.
The mathematical term for 'expected value'. Used in statistics, game theory, etc.
このゲームの期待値を計算する。
Calculate the expected value of this game.
Means 'probability'. Often used in everyday contexts to talk about the likelihood of something happening.
期待 (きたい) implies a hopeful or emotional expectation, while 予想 (よそう) is a neutral prediction based on reasoning or data. Use 期待 when you are looking forward to something, and 予想 when you are making a forecast.
彼の成功を期待している。
I am hoping for his success.
彼の成功を予想している。
I predict he will succeed.
English 'expect' can often be translated as 期待する, but in many cases a different structure is more natural. For example, 'I expect he will come' is not 彼が来ることを期待する (which sounds like you are hoping he comes), but rather 彼は来るはずだ or 彼は来るだろう.
この仕事は高い集中力が要求される。
This job requires a high level of concentration.
It is expected that one follows social norms.
成功する確率は低い。
The probability of success is low.