erwarten
to expect
To assume or anticipate that something will happen in the future.
EXAMPLE
Ich erwarte, dass die Lieferung morgen ankommt.
I expect the delivery to arrive tomorrow.
erwarten
to expect
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Meanings
erwarten
to expect
To wait for the arrival of someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Wir erwarten heute Abend Gäste zum Abendessen.
We are expecting guests for dinner this evening.
etwas von jemandem erwarten
to expect something from someone
To demand or hope for a certain performance, behavior, or quality from a person.
EXAMPLE
Die Lehrerin erwartet von ihren Schülern, dass sie die Hausaufgaben machen.
The teacher expects her students to do the homework.
ein Kind erwarten
to be expecting a child
A fixed expression for 'schwanger sein' (to be pregnant).
EXAMPLE
Meine Schwester erwartet im Frühling ihr erstes Kind.
My sister is expecting her first child in the spring.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'er-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the stem 'warten' in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Was erwartest du von diesem Treffen?
What do you expect from this meeting?
Context clues
The context shows the exact meaning: If 'erwarten' is used with a person, it is often about that person's arrival. If the preposition 'von' follows, it is about a demand or expectation. If it is used with 'ein Kind' (a child), it means 'schwanger sein' (to be pregnant).
EXAMPLE
Wir erwarten wichtigen Besuch.
We are expecting an important visitor.
Sentence structure with 'dass'
When you assume that something will happen, 'erwarten' is very often used with a subordinate clause introduced by 'dass' (that). The verb of the subordinate clause then comes at the end.
EXAMPLE
Ich erwarte, dass du deine Hausaufgaben bis morgen erledigst.
I expect you to finish your homework by tomorrow.
Fixed preposition
When you demand or hope for a performance or behavior from someone, the preposition 'von' with the dative is always used. The structure is: etwas von jemandem erwarten (to expect something from someone).
EXAMPLE
Der Chef erwartet von seinen Mitarbeitern vollen Einsatz.
The boss expects full commitment from his employees.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'ein Kind erwarten' (to be expecting a child) is a fixed and very common expression for 'schwanger sein' (to be pregnant). It is often used as a polite and neutral paraphrase.
EXAMPLE
Das Paar erwartet im Sommer Nachwuchs.
The couple is expecting a baby in the summer.
Compare with
erwarten vs hoffen
to hope
Hoffen and erwarten can refer to the same future event. Hoffen expresses a desire for a positive outcome. Erwarten, on the other hand, means that you anticipate the event based on the circumstances, regardless of your own wishes.
erwarten
Nach der klaren Zusage erwarte ich, dass ich die Stelle bekomme.
After the clear confirmation, I expect to get the job.
hoffen
Trotz des unsicheren Gesprächs hoffe ich, dass ich die Stelle bekomme.
Despite the uncertain interview, I hope I get the job.
In real life
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