N293/217

はたして

はたして + 〜かどうかはたして + 〜だろうかはたして + 結果は 〜だ/〜だろうかはたして + 〜だった/〜ている

Meanings

  • Wonder if ~ (really)?
  • Wonder how ~ (actually)?
  • Sure enough
  • As expected

About this pattern

Explanation

はたして is a sentence-initial adverb used to indicate that one is wondering about the outcome of something, often expressing anticipation or doubt, and sometimes revealing that the outcome turned out as expected. It adds a sense of formality or literary nuance. It can start a question about uncertainty (Is it really the case that…?), or be paired with a following clause to express a conclusion or expected result after investigating or thinking about a matter. When used in results, it conveys that something happened as one would anticipate, often with a nuance of “as expected” or “sure enough.”

Learn in context

Example sentences

はたして彼は来るだろうか。

I wonder whether he will come.

はたしてこの計画は成功するかどうか分からない。

I don’t know whether this plan will succeed.

はたして結果はどうなるだろう。

I wonder what the result will be.

はたして彼は約束を守ってくれた。

Sure enough, he kept his promise.

はたしてこの本は役に立つのだろうか。

I wonder if this book will be useful.

はたして彼女は計画を思い通りに進められるだろう。

I wonder if she can carry the plan forward as expected.