The Meaning of kitai [期待] In Japanese

期待
きたい
Romaji: kitai N4

What does 期待 mean?

Translation and Meaning

expectation, anticipation, hope

Definition

What does 期待 mean? It denotes the state of looking forward to something, an expectation or anticipation that something will occur, often carrying a hopeful or confident tone.

Type

noun (名詞); can form a verb with suru: 期待する

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • anticipation toward a future event or outcome
  • hope or confidence that something will turn out as desired
  • in formal contexts, a standard of performance or forecast that is expected to be met

Etymology

期 (time/term) + 待 (to wait) combine into a Sino-Japanese kitai compound; the pronunciation follows on’yomi readings ki and tai, yielding the current kitai reading.

Composition

  • 期: time, term, designated point in time
  • 待: to wait, to await
  • Together they form a concept of waiting for a designated time, i.e., an expectation

Usage

Used as a noun to express expectation or anticipation about future events; in casual conversation it appears in everyday talk, while in formal writing or business contexts it discusses forecasts, goals, and outcomes; the verb form is created with 期待する to express the action of expecting.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a countdown clock (time) that you’re waiting for; the moment the clock reaches zero is when your expectations become reality—kitai links time and waiting.

Variations

  • 希望 (kibō) — hope
  • 期待する (kitai suru) — to expect
  • 失望 (shitsubō) — disappointment

Example Phrases

  • 明日のテストに向けて、私は先生の評価を強く期待している。
    Ashita no tesuto ni mukete, watashi wa sensei no hyouka o tsuyoku kitai shite iru.
    I’m strongly hoping for the teacher’s evaluation for tomorrow’s test.
    Lista:
    • 明日の (Ashita no) – tomorrow’s
    • テストに (tesuto ni) – to the test
    • 向けて、 (mukete) – toward
    • 私は (watashi wa) – I
    • 先生の (sensei no) – teacher’s
    • 評価を (hyōka o) – evaluation
    • 強く (tsuyoku) – strongly
    • 期待している (kitai shite iru) – am hoping/expecting
    In this sentence, 「期待」 forms the verb 期待している (to be hoping/expecting); the object of the verb is 評価を.
期待