Translation guide
How to express the idea of 'expectations' in Japanese, covering hopes, standards, and what is anticipated.
Expressing positive anticipation or what you hope will happen.
The most common word for positive expectations, hopes, or looking forward to something.
彼の新しい映画に期待しています。
I have high expectations for his new movie.
期待を裏切らないでください。
Please don't disappoint my expectations.
More casual, expresses looking forward to something with pleasure. Often used for personal enjoyment.
週末が楽しみです。
I'm looking forward to the weekend.
Literary phrase meaning 'to be full of anticipation'.
子供たちは遠足に期待に胸を膨らませていた。
The children were full of anticipation for the field trip.
Referring to social, professional, or personal standards that one is supposed to meet.
Also used for expectations placed on someone, like duties or standards.
親の期待に応えたい。
I want to live up to my parents' expectations.
会社は社員に高い期待をかけている。
The company has high expectations of its employees.
Often used in business or technical contexts for 'expected value' or benchmark.
Means 'demands' or 'requirements', stronger than expectations. Use when expectations are more like obligations.
What you think will happen, often based on reasoning or past experience.
Expectation as a forecast or prediction. Neutral, can be positive or negative.
予想以上の結果が出た。
The results exceeded expectations.
彼の予想は外れた。
His expectations (predictions) were off.
Expectation based on probability or prospects, often used in business.
Assumption or scenario planning. Used when you set expectations for planning purposes.
Expressing that something didn't meet expectations.
A noun/adjective meaning 'disappointing' or 'not living up to expectations'.
その映画は期待外れだった。
The movie was a letdown (didn't meet expectations).
To betray expectations, i.e., to disappoint.
彼は私の期待を裏切った。
He disappointed me (betrayed my expectations).
期待 (kitai) is for hopes or standards, often emotional. 予想 (yosou) is for logical predictions or forecasts. Use 期待 when feelings are involved, 予想 when making a calculated guess.
期待しています！
I'm looking forward to it! (emotional)
明日の天気を予想する。
Predict tomorrow's weather. (logical)
In casual conversation, 楽しみ (tanoshimi) is often more natural than 期待 for personal enjoyment. 期待 can sound formal or heavy.
Please clarify the expectations for the project.
顧客の要求に応えるのは難しい。
It's difficult to meet customer expectations (demands).
Sales fell short of expectations.
最悪の事態を想定して準備する。
Prepare for the worst-case expectations.