How to Say ‘Looking forward to’ in Japanese
お待ちして
おまちして
💬 Usage Tip: The expression [お待ちして] (o-machi shite) can be paired with other verbs to express anticipation.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Patient waiting and anticipation are subtly different in Japan. This phrase captures the nuance with politeness.
Phrase Breakdown
おお
Honorific prefix
Politeness prefix used before nouns and verbs.
お名前 を 教えてください。
Please tell me your name.
待ちまち
Wait
Root form of the verb 'to wait'.
ここ で 待ちます。
I will wait here.
してして
Doing (te-form)
Te-form of a verb indicates a continuous action or a request.
話して ください。
Please talk.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
おお
[o]
honorific prefix
Used to add politeness to verbs; often attached to verbs and nouns.
お待ちしていました！
I was waiting for you!
待ちまち
[machi]
to wait
Expresses waiting for someone or something politely.
レストランでお待ちしています。
We are waiting at the restaurant.
しし
[shi]
to do
A verb suffix indicating ongoing actions.
お茶をしながらお待ちしています。
I am waiting while having tea.
てて
[te]
and/then
Used to connect clauses or phrases in a sentence.
お待ちして、すぐに入れます。
Wait, and you can enter soon.
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