Meaning
To perform as well as or better than anticipated.
Cultural Background
The pressure to meet expectations is a major theme in Japanese media, often portrayed as a burden that characters must overcome or a duty that defines their honor. In companies, 'meeting expectations' is often the minimum requirement for a good evaluation. To get a promotion, one must 'exceed expectations' ({期待|きたい}を{超|こ}える). Japanese parents often use 'kitai shite iru yo' (I'm expecting much from you) as a way to encourage children, though it can sometimes lead to 'Kyōiku mama' (education mother) syndrome. Idol culture in Japan is built entirely on 'meeting expectations.' Fans support idols, and idols 'respond' to that support through performance.
Use it in Interviews
This is the #1 phrase to use when an interviewer asks why they should hire you. It shows you are goal-oriented.
Particle 'Ni' is Non-negotiable
Never use 'o' (を). It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Meaning
To perform as well as or better than anticipated.
Use it in Interviews
This is the #1 phrase to use when an interviewer asks why they should hire you. It shows you are goal-oriented.
Particle 'Ni' is Non-negotiable
Never use 'o' (を). It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
The Burden of Kitai
In Japan, saying 'I expect a lot from you' is a heavy statement. Use it sparingly when you are the one expecting.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct particle and verb form.
{社長|しゃちょう}の{期待|きたい}（ ）{応|こた}えて、{新|あたら}しいプロジェクトを{成功|せいこう}させた。
The phrase is always '{期待|きたい}に{応|こた}える'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a job interview?
Choose the best response to: '{弊社|へいしゃ}での{活躍|かつやく}を{期待|きたい}しています。'
This uses the correct particle, the correct kanji, and the appropriate formal register.
Match the Japanese phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all common variations of the word 'Kitai'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {今回|こんかい}のテスト、どうだった？ B: {親|おや}の（ ）ことができて、ホッとしたよ。
The context requires a past ability form ('was able to meet').
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises{社長|しゃちょう}の{期待|きたい}（ ）{応|こた}えて、{新|あたら}しいプロジェクトを{成功|せいこう}させた。
The phrase is always '{期待|きたい}に{応|こた}える'.
Choose the best response to: '{弊社|へいしゃ}での{活躍|かつやく}を{期待|きたい}しています。'
This uses the correct particle, the correct kanji, and the appropriate formal register.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all common variations of the word 'Kitai'.
A: {今回|こんかい}のテスト、どうだった？ B: {親|おや}の（ ）ことができて、ホッとしたよ。
The context requires a past ability form ('was able to meet').
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, you can say '{自分|じぶん}の{期待|きたい}に{応|こた}える' (to meet my own expectations), but it's much more common to use it for others.
Yes, but it might sound a bit serious. For friends, you might say '{期待|きたい}どおりだったよ！' (It was just as I expected!).
{答|こた}える is for answering a question or a phone. {応|こた}える is for responding to a stimulus, like expectations or cold weather.
You can say '{期待|きたい}に{応|こた}えられなかった' or '{期待|きたい}を{裏切|うらぎ}ってしまった'.
Constantly! Especially in sports anime like Haikyuu!! or Kuroko's Basketball when players talk about their teammates.
Yes, you can say 'この{車|くるま}は{期待|きたい}に{応|こた}える{性能|せいのう}だ' (This car has performance that meets expectations).
The most common opposite is '{期待|きたい}を{裏切|うらぎ}る' (to betray expectations).
It can be used jokingly! If your date says 'I heard you're a good cook,' you can say '{期待|きたい}に{応|こた}えられるように{頑張|がんば}るね'.
Because 'kotaeru' is an intransitive verb in Japanese grammar; you are responding *to* something, not acting *upon* it.
No, 'Kitai' is almost always positive. For negative expectations, you would use a different word like '{予想|よそう}' (prediction).
Related Phrases
{期待|きたい}を{裏切|うらぎ}る
contrastTo let someone down / betray expectations.
{期待|きたい}に{添|そ}う
similarTo meet/comply with expectations.
{期待|きたい}を{超|こ}える
builds onTo exceed expectations.
{要望|ようぼう}に{応|こた}える
specialized formTo meet demands/requests.
