見込む
みこむ·mikomu
Meaning
to anticipate; to expect; to count on; to plan on; to factor in
Nuance & Usage
見込む means to anticipate or factor in a certain outcome when making plans. 需要を見込む (to anticipate demand), 損失を見込む (to factor in losses), 見込み違い (miscalculation), 見込み客 (prospective customer) are key uses. The noun 見込み (mikomi — prospect, expectation, likelihood) is very common: 見込みがある (there is promise/hope), 将来の見込み (future prospects). Unlike 予想する (yosou suru — to predict/expect, neutral), 見込む implies that the expectation is actively built into planning or calculation.
Common Mistakes
Learners confuse 見込む with 期待する (kitai suru — to expect/hope for, emotionally positive) and 予想する (yosou suru — to predict/forecast, neutral analysis). 見込む is specifically about incorporating an anticipated outcome into planning — it's practical and forward-looking. 見込んでいた通り (as expected/anticipated) and 見込みが外れた (expectations were off the mark) are important phrases. 見込み違い (mikomichigai — miscalculation, wrong expectation) is a useful compound noun.
Example Sentences (3)
今年度は大幅な売上増を見込んで、生産量を拡大した。
こんねんどはおおはばなうりあげぞうをみこんで、せいさんりょうをかくだいした。
Anticipating a large increase in sales this fiscal year, we expanded production volume.
参加者を百名以上見込んで、会場を広めに手配した。
さんかしゃをひゃくめいいじょうみこんで、かいじょうをひろめにてはいした。
Anticipating over 100 attendees, we arranged for a larger venue.
当初見込んでいた数よりはるかに多くの応募があり、嬉しい誤算となった。
とうしょみこんでいたかずよりはるかにおおくのおうぼがあり、うれしいごさんとなった。
Far more applications came in than initially anticipated, making for a pleasant surprise.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N14 questionsTest your knowledge of 見込む with 4 different question types.
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