What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the noun 楽しみ (tanoshimi), which means pleasure or enjoyment.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness changes based on the ending of the phrase. 楽しみにしています is a polite version suitable for most social situations or business correspondence. For very formal business settings, the humble form 楽しみにしております is used. In contrast, 楽しみにしてる is an informal way to say 'I'm looking forward to it.' If you want to express general excitement rather than anticipation of a specific event, you can use the informal phrase ワクワクしてる, which means 'I am excited.'
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, the phrase 楽しみやで is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are looking forward to an action, you must use the particle を (wo) before the verb, such as 食べるのを楽しみにしている (looking forward to eating).
How do you pronounce it?
tanoshimi ni shite iru
Did you know?
- If you use the word ワクワク (waku waku) to express your excitement, you are using an onomatopoeia that mimics the sound of a beating heart or the feeling of a racing pulse.
- Japanese has a specific term 待ち遠しい (machidooshii) for when the wait for something is so long it feels physically distant or painful.
- To express a very intense level of looking forward to something, Japanese speakers often use the phrase 待ちきれない (machikirenai), which literally means 'cannot finish waiting'.
Examples in context
- 私は夏休みを楽しみにしている。I am looking forward to the summer vacation.This sentence is useful for expressing anticipation for a summer vacation.Tatoeba #1164982 by bunbuku, translation #256471 by CK
- 生徒たちは夏休みを楽しみにしている。The students are looking forward to the summer vacation.This sentence shows how a group of people can look forward to an event.Tatoeba #142757 by small_snow, translation #271812 by CK
- トムは今週末メアリーに会うのを楽しみにしている。Tom is looking forward to seeing Mary this coming weekend.This sentence demonstrates looking forward to a specific meeting or encounter.Tatoeba #1484938 by bunbuku, translation #1028557 by CK
- 会議を楽しみにしています。I am looking forward to the meeting.
- 映画を楽しみにしてるよ！I'm looking forward to the movie!
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking about an upcoming concert.
- 結衣 Yui来週のコンサート、本当に楽しみにしているね。Raishū no konsāto, hontō ni tanoshimi ni shite iru ne.You're really looking forward to the concert next week, aren't you?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、ずっと楽しみにしているんだ。Un, zutto tanoshimi ni shite iru n da.Yeah, I've been looking forward to it for a long time.
- 結衣 Yui私もすごく楽しみにしているよ。Watashi mo sugoku tanoshimi ni shite iru yo.I'm looking forward to it a lot too.
- 陽太 Yota一緒に行けてよかった。Issho ni ike te yokatta.I'm glad we can go together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
