Translation guide
The English word 'hopeful' can describe a person who feels hope, a situation that inspires hope, or an action that expresses hope. Japanese uses different words and patterns depending on the nuance.
Describing a person's feeling of optimism or expectation that something good will happen.
Literally 'holding hope'. A natural way to say someone is hopeful about a specific outcome or the future.
彼は将来に希望を持っている。
He is hopeful about the future.
Means 'optimistic'. Often used when someone is hopeful in a general, positive-thinking way.
彼女はいつも楽観的だ。
She is always hopeful/optimistic.
Means 'expecting' or 'looking forward to'. Implies hopeful anticipation of a specific event.
良い結果を期待している。
I'm hopeful for a good result.
Similar to 希望を持っている but slightly more literary or formal. 'Holding a wish/hope'.
彼はまだ望みを持っている。
He is still hopeful.
Describing something that gives reason for hope, like news, a look, or a development.
Means 'can hold hope', i.e., something is hopeful or promising. Often used with nouns like ニュース (news) or 状況 (situation).
これは希望が持てるニュースだ。
This is hopeful news.
Means 'promising' or 'hopeful'. Often used for people with potential or situations that look good.
有望な若手選手
a hopeful young athlete
Literally 'bright sign'. Used for a hopeful indication in a difficult situation.
景気回復の明るい兆しが見える。
We can see hopeful signs of economic recovery.
Describing an action done with hope, like a hopeful smile or a hopeful attempt.
Means 'with hope/expectation'. Used adverbially to describe an action filled with hopeful feeling.
彼女は期待を込めて微笑んだ。
She smiled hopefully.
Means 'pinning one's hopes on'. Used when someone does something with the hope that it will lead to a desired outcome.
彼は最後のチャンスに望みをかけて挑戦した。
He took on the challenge, hopeful that it would be his last chance.
The English adjective 'hopeful' does not have a single direct Japanese adjective equivalent. Avoid using 希望的 (きぼうてき) as a direct translation; it is rarely used and sounds unnatural in most contexts.
希望 (きぼう) is a general hope or wish, while 期待 (きたい) is an expectation or anticipation. 期待している is more concrete and often implies waiting for a specific result, whereas 希望を持っている is a broader feeling of hope.