Meaning and Usage
The Korean noun '기대' means 'expectation' or 'anticipation.' It is commonly used to express hope or belief that something good or desired will happen.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '기대' in everyday conversations about events, results, or people’s behavior. For example, when talking about a movie, exam results, or someone's future, '기대' conveys a positive anticipation.
Collocations and Patterns
- 기대가 크다: to have high expectations
- 기대에 못 미치다: to fall short of expectations
- 기대하다: to expect or look forward to (verb form)
- 큰 기대를 걸다: to place great expectations on something or someone
Register and Nuance
'기대' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It often implies a hopeful or optimistic attitude. However, when paired with words like '실망' (disappointment), it highlights the contrast between hope and reality.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '기대' with '희망' (hope). While both relate to positive feelings about the future, '기대' is more about realistic anticipation based on some reason or evidence, whereas '희망' is more about wishful thinking without certainty.