Translation guide
The feeling of looking forward to something that is going to happen, or the act of preparing for it.
楽しみにしています！
I'm looking forward to it!
Expressing a positive feeling of excitement about a future event.
The most common and natural way to say you are looking forward to something. Often used in the phrase 楽しみにしている.
週末が楽しみです。
I'm looking forward to the weekend.
旅行を楽しみにしています。
I'm looking forward to the trip.
Expresses that you can hardly wait for something; it feels like a long time until it happens. Stronger than 楽しみ.
夏休みが待ち遠しい。
I can't wait for summer vacation.
To eagerly await something with heartfelt anticipation. More emotional and literary.
彼女は手紙を心待ちにしていた。
She was eagerly awaiting the letter.
The act of expecting something to happen, often based on reasoning or evidence.
A general term for expectation, forecast, or prediction. Used in both casual and formal contexts.
予想以上の結果が出た。
The results exceeded expectations.
彼の予想は当たった。
His prediction was correct.
Expectation or hope, often with a nuance of looking forward to something good. Can also mean 'anticipation' in a positive sense.
Anticipation in the sense of foreseeing or factoring in something, often used in business or planning.
Doing something in advance because you expect a certain situation.
Acting in anticipation, often by getting ahead of a situation or preempting someone's needs.
彼は先回りして準備を整えた。
He prepared everything in anticipation.
Doing something in anticipation of a future event, often used in planning contexts.
需要を見越して在庫を増やした。
We increased inventory in anticipation of demand.
In preparation for ~. A very common pattern for expressing anticipation of a specific event or situation.
地震に備えて水を買っておく。
Buy water in anticipation of an earthquake.
楽しみ is a casual, personal feeling of looking forward to something enjoyable. 期待 is more formal and implies a hope or expectation that something will meet a certain standard. 期待 can also be used in business or when talking about others' performance.
映画が楽しみだ。
I'm looking forward to the movie.
彼の成功を期待している。
I expect him to succeed.
Using 期待 in casual situations can sound too stiff or like you are placing a burden of expectation on someone. Stick with 楽しみ for everyday anticipation.
To meet expectations.
新製品に期待している。
I have high hopes for the new product.
Plan in anticipation of risks.