楽しみにする
tanoshimi ni suru
To look forward to in Japanese, use 楽しみにする (tanoshimi ni suru).
The phrase is used to express anticipation, expectation or waiting for something. When you want to specify the thing you are looking forward to, you mark it with the particle を (wo/o), such as in the pattern 〜を楽しみにしています. If you want to convey a sense of being excited about something, you can use ワクワクしている (wakuwaku shiteiru).
Meaning: anticipate, expect, or wait for (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 楽しみ (tanoshimi), which means 'pleasure' or 'anticipation' and する (suru), meaning 'to do' or 'to make'. Literally, it means 'to make (something) a pleasure'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the setting. 楽しみだ (tanoshimi da) is an informal way to say you are looking forward to something. For standard polite situations, such as most social or business settings, use 楽しみにしています (tanoshimi ni shiteimasu). In very formal written language or highly polite speech, you can use お待ちしております (O-machi shiteorimasu) to convey a respectful sense of anticipation.
How do you pronounce it?
tanoshimi ni suru
Did you know?
- While 楽しみにしています is used for excitement, the phrase お待ちしております often implies a power dynamic where the speaker is humbly waiting for a superior or a customer.
- The onomatopoeic word ワクワク (wakuwaku) mimics the sound or feeling of a heart trembling with excitement and is used even in professional manga and anime to show internal anticipation.
- The word 楽しみ (tanoshimi) can be used as a noun meaning 'one's only joy', such as when someone describes a small hobby as their only 'pleasure' in a difficult life.
Examples in context
- Watashi wa kyoushitsu no enkai o tanoshimi ni shiteimasu. (私は教室の宴会を楽しみにしています。)I am looking forward to the classroom party.
- Konshū no shūmatsu wa takusan asobi ni iku yo. Tanoshimi da! (今週の週末はたくさん遊びに行くよ。楽しみだ！)I am going to have a lot of fun this weekend. I'm looking forward to it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “look forward to” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
