1.
eager anticipation, looking forward to something
The feeling of eagerly and happily waiting for something to happen. Always positive — used when you are excited about something upcoming.
春を心待ちにしている。
I'm eagerly looking forward to spring.
子供たちはクリスマスを心待ちにしていた。
The children were eagerly looking forward to Christmas.
皆様のご来場を心待ちにしております。
We eagerly look forward to your attendance.
GRAMMAR:
Almost exclusively used with にする: 心待ちにする (to look forward to). The polite form 心待ちにしております is common in business correspondence and formal invitations.
REGISTER:
While the word itself is somewhat literary, the polite form 心待ちにしております is a standard business and formal expression.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- Xを心待ちにする: to look forward to X
- 心待ちにしております: we look forward to... (polite/business)
- 心待ちにしていた: had been looking forward to