기대하다 vs 희망하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 기대하다
Listen to 희망하다
| 기대하다 | 희망하다 |
|---|---|
gi-DAE-ha-da verb | hui-mang-ha-da verb |
| to look forward to; to expect something good to happen | to hope for; to have hopes for |
How they differ
희망하다 is more formal and abstract than 기대하다. It often appears in written, official, or serious contexts, and it feels less personal and less emotional than 기대하다.
When to use each
When to use 기대하다: Use 기대하다 in ordinary conversation when you personally look forward to something or expect a good result.
When to use 희망하다: Use 희망하다 in formal writing, speeches, or serious contexts where you want to sound official or abstract.
Side-by-side examples
- 그 결과를 기대하고 있다.
(I’m looking forward to the result.) - 그 결과를 희망하고 있다.
(I am hoping for that result.)
Register & nuance: 희망하다 is formal and common in news, reports, and speeches, while 기대하다 is much more natural in everyday speech.