Verb

erwarten

Translation

to expect, to anticipate, to await

Ich erwartete einen wichtigen Anruf.

I was expecting an important call.

Sie erwartete mehr von dem Film.

She expected more from the movie.

Man erwartete Regen, aber die Sonne schien.

Rain was expected, but the sun was shining.

((et4)) to expect sth. I expected a different answer.

((j-n)) to expect sb. We expected you earlier.

((et4)) ((von+3)) to expect sth. from sb. What did you expect from me?

Synonyms: hoffen auf, rechnen mit; Antonym: bezweifeln

Comes from 'er-' (a prefix indicating achievement or an outcome) + 'warten' (to wait). The idea is 'to wait out' for something.

Think of it as a more active form of waiting. You're not just waiting ('warten'), you're expecting a specific result. 'erwartete' is the past tense.