🦅 Project Eagle
synonym Comparative
期待
VS
思いもよらない

Differences Between "期待" and "思いもよらない"

Option A
期待
Meaning
expectation; anticipation; hope
Reading
きたい (kitai)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
新入社員の活躍に、会社全体が期待しています。
The entire company has high expectations for the active performance of the new employees.
Option B
思いもよらない
Meaning
unexpected, unforeseen, surprising (even beyond expectation)
Reading
おもいもよらない (omoimoyoranai)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
思いもよらない結果になった。
It turned out to be an utterly unexpected result.

Which one to use?

Select the correct Japanese word for this context

Which word fits this context: "(expectation; anticipation; hope)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 期待: Refers to having high expectations, anticipation, or hopes for someone's success or an outcome. Can be used with する as a verb (期待する). ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'I have extremely high expectations for your future! ...S-So, don't you dare disappoint me! I'll be watching your growth closer than anyone else! ...N-Not because I'm obsessed with you!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『私はあんたの将来に、ものすごく期待しているんだからね!...だ、だから、絶対に私を失望させないでよね!誰よりも近くで、あんたの成長を見守っててあげるから!』
- 思いもよらない: Stronger than 思いがけず, emphasizing complete surprise or something beyond imagination. (「思いがけず」よりも驚きの度合いが強く、想像もしていなかった事柄を強調する)
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