Inklingo
← Dictionary

expectativas

eks-pek-ta-TEE-bahs/ekspektaˈtiβas/

“expectativas” means “expectations” in Spanish (hopes or beliefs about the future).

expectations

Also: prospects, outlooks
NounfB1
A small child planting a seed in a garden and looking up with a hopeful smile, imagining a giant sunflower.

📝 In Action

La película superó todas mis expectativas.

A2

The movie exceeded all my expectations.

Tengo altas expectativas para el nuevo trabajo.

B1

I have high expectations for the new job.

Hay buenas expectativas de crecimiento económico este año.

B2

There are good prospects for economic growth this year.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • esperanzas (hopes)
  • previsiones (forecasts/provisions)
  • ilusiones (dreams/hopes)

Antonyms

  • realidad (reality)
  • desilusión (disappointment)

Common Collocations

  • cumplir expectativas – to meet expectations
  • superar expectativas – to exceed expectations
  • estar a la expectativa – to be waiting/watching to see what happens

Idioms & Expressions

  • crear falsas expectativas – to lead someone to believe something will happen when it likely won't

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "expectativas" in Spanish:

expectations→outlooks→prospects→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: expectativas

Question 1 of 1

Which verb is most commonly used when you achieve what was expected?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
expectante(expectant/waiting) — Adjective
esperar(to wait/to hope) — Verb
esperanza(hope) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'expectare', which means 'to look out for' or 'to wait for'. It combines 'ex' (out) and 'spectare' (to look).

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: expectationsFrench: expectative

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'expectativa' the same as 'esperanza'?

Not exactly. 'Esperanza' is a feeling of hope (emotional), while 'expectativa' is more about what you think will actually happen based on standards or circumstances (logical).

Can I use 'expectativa' in the singular?

Yes, but it's less common. You might say 'Tengo la expectativa de que...' (I have the expectation that...), but 'Tengo expectativas' is the standard way to talk about your standards.