기다리다 vs 고대하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 기다리다
Listen to 고대하다
| 기다리다 | 고대하다 |
|---|---|
gi-DA-ri-da verb | go-dae-ha-da verb |
| to wait, to stay in expectation for someone or something | to await; to look forward to — implies eager anticipation or longing for a future event. |
How they differ
고대하다 carries an emotional sense of eager expectation or longing and is often more formal or literary, whereas 기다리다 is neutral and does not necessarily convey excitement or strong desire.
When to use each
When to use 기다리다: Prefer 기다리다 when simply stating that you are waiting without emphasizing emotional anticipation.
When to use 고대하다: Prefer 고대하다 when you want to express eager anticipation or hopeful longing for a future event, especially in more formal or written contexts.
Side-by-side examples
- 아이들은 크리스마스를 기다리고 있다.
(The children are waiting for Christmas.) - 아이들은 크리스마스를 고대하고 있다.
(The children are eagerly looking forward to Christmas.)
Register & nuance: 고대하다 is more formal or literary and often appears in writing or emphatic speech; 기다리다 is the everyday, neutral term.