楽しみにしています
Tanoshimi ni shite imasu
I'm looking forward to it
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to say you are excited about a future event or meeting.
- Means: 'I am looking forward to [something]'
- Used in: Business emails, social plans, and polite conversation.
- Don't confuse: With '{欲|ほ}しい' (wanting an object) or '{行|い}きたい' (wanting to go).
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Expressing anticipation or eagerness for a future event.
Contexte culturel
Expressing anticipation is a key part of 'Aisatsu' (social greetings). It shows you value the other person's time and effort. In Japanese business, this phrase is often used to politely 'nudge' someone. By saying you look forward to their reply, you are reminding them to send it. When giving a gift, the recipient might say they are looking forward to using it or eating it, which is a high compliment to the giver. Japanese users often use the hashtag #楽しみ (tanoshimi) when posting about upcoming events, showing a collective sense of anticipation.
The 'No' Rule
If you want to use a verb, always add 'no' before 'wo tanoshimi ni'. e.g., 'Taberu-no wo...'
Don't be too formal with friends
Using 'shite orimasu' with a close friend will make them think you are being sarcastic or cold.
Signification
Expressing anticipation or eagerness for a future event.
The 'No' Rule
If you want to use a verb, always add 'no' before 'wo tanoshimi ni'. e.g., 'Taberu-no wo...'
Don't be too formal with friends
Using 'shite orimasu' with a close friend will make them think you are being sarcastic or cold.
The Social Closer
Always use this phrase when hanging up the phone after making plans. It's the Japanese equivalent of 'See ya!'
Past Tense Nuance
Saying '{楽|たの}しみにしていました' (past tense) when you meet someone shows you've been thinking about them for a long time.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing particle and verb form.
{明日|あした}のパーティー（ ）{楽|たの}しみに（ ）。
The object is marked with 'wo' and the state is 'shite imasu.'
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a business email closing?
Choose the best formal option:
'Shite orimasu' is the humble form used in professional settings.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {来週|らいしゅう}、いっしょに{映画|えいが}を{見|み}に{行|い}きませんか？ B: はい、ぜひ！________________。
B is expressing anticipation for the future plan.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are waiting for your favorite artist's new album to be released tomorrow.
'Tanoshimi ni shite imasu' is the most natural way to express this excitement.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! It's very common and polite. It shows you are interested without being too aggressive.
'Tanoshimi da' is more direct and declarative, often used by men or in casual exclamations. 'Shite iru' is more standard and polite.
Yes, especially at the end. Say '{御社|おんしゃ}で{働|はたら}けるのを{楽|たの}しみにしております' (I look forward to being able to work at your company).
Absolutely. '{公開|こうかい}を{楽|たの}しみにしています' is the standard way to say you want to see a new movie.
In casual speech, people shorten it to '{楽|たの}しみ！' or '{楽|たの}しみにしてる！'
It's possible, but it's more common for shared events. For solo activities, '...tai' (I want to) is more frequent.
Japanese people rarely express this directly. They might say '{不安|ふあん}です' (I'm anxious/worried) instead.
Yes, the event you are looking forward to is the direct object, so it takes 'wo'.
Yes, '{連休|れんきゅう}を{楽|たの}しみにしています' is very common.
Yes. 'I hope' is '{願|ねが}っています' or '...to ii desu ne.' This phrase is specifically about your own feeling of joy.
Expressions liées
わくわくする
similarTo be excited/thrilled
{期待|きたい}する
similarTo expect/hope for
{待|ま}ち{遠|どお}しい
similarCan't wait
{心|こころ}に{留|と}める
contrastTo keep in mind
{楽|たの}しみだ
specialized formIt's a pleasure
Où l'utiliser
Accepting a lunch invite
Friend: {明日|あした}、ランチに行きませんか？
You: いいですね！{楽|たの}しみにしています。
Ending a business email
You: お{返事|へんじ}を{楽|たの}しみにしています。
Client: 承知いたしました。
Talking about a concert
Friend: {来週|らいしゅう}のライブ、行く？
You: うん、めっちゃ{楽|たの}しみにしてる！
Waiting for a delivery
Delivery App: 商品は明日届きます。
You: {届|とど}くのを{楽|たの}しみにしています。
First day of school/work
Teacher: {明日|あした}から{授業|じゅぎょう}が{始|はじ}まります。
You: {学校|がっこう}に{行|い}くのを{楽|たの}しみにしています。
Dating app conversation
Match: 土曜日に会いましょう。
You: はい、お会いできるのを{楽|たの}しみにしています。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Tano' (fun) + 'shimi' (soaking in). You are 'soaking in the fun' before it even happens.
Visual Association
Imagine yourself looking at a calendar with a big red circle around a date, and you are smiling while pointing at it.
Rhyme
Tanoshimi ni shite imasu, waiting for the bus (or any future event)!
Story
You are invited to a sushi party. You start 'making' (suru) that 'joy' (tanoshimi) right now in your head. You carry that joy with you all week (te-imasu).
Word Web
Défi
Write down three things you are doing this weekend and say '{楽しみ|たのしみ}にしています' after each one.
In Other Languages
Looking forward to it
Japanese uses a 'making joy' metaphor while English uses a 'looking' metaphor.
Tener ganas de
Spanish focuses on the 'desire' while Japanese focuses on the 'joy'.
Hâte de
French implies 'hurry,' Japanese implies 'ongoing state of joy.'
Sich auf etwas freuen
German is a reflexive verb; Japanese is a 'make into' construction.
أتطلع إلى (Atatalla' ila)
Arabic is primarily formal; Japanese is used across all registers.
期待 (Qīdài)
Chinese is a single verb; Japanese is a multi-word expression.
기대하고 있어요 (Gidae-hago isseoyo)
Korean uses the word for 'expectation' (kitai) more commonly than 'joy' (tanoshimi) in this context.
Estou ansioso por
Portuguese uses 'anxiety' as a metaphor for excitement.
Easily Confused
Learners use this for future events, but it only describes the present.
Use 'tanoshii' for what you are doing NOW, and 'tanoshimi' for the FUTURE.
Learners use this for friends, but it can sound like you are putting pressure on them.
Use 'tanoshimi' for social fun, and 'kitai' for professional expectations.
FAQ (10)
Yes! It's very common and polite. It shows you are interested without being too aggressive.
'Tanoshimi da' is more direct and declarative, often used by men or in casual exclamations. 'Shite iru' is more standard and polite.
Yes, especially at the end. Say '{御社|おんしゃ}で{働|はたら}けるのを{楽|たの}しみにしております' (I look forward to being able to work at your company).
Absolutely. '{公開|こうかい}を{楽|たの}しみにしています' is the standard way to say you want to see a new movie.
In casual speech, people shorten it to '{楽|たの}しみ！' or '{楽|たの}しみにしてる！'
It's possible, but it's more common for shared events. For solo activities, '...tai' (I want to) is more frequent.
Japanese people rarely express this directly. They might say '{不安|ふあん}です' (I'm anxious/worried) instead.
Yes, the event you are looking forward to is the direct object, so it takes 'wo'.
Yes, '{連休|れんきゅう}を{楽|たの}しみにしています' is very common.
Yes. 'I hope' is '{願|ねが}っています' or '...to ii desu ne.' This phrase is specifically about your own feeling of joy.
