はたして
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
I wonder whether he will come.
I don’t know whether this plan will succeed.
I wonder what the result will be.
Sure enough, he kept his promise.
I wonder if this book will be useful.
I wonder if she can carry the plan forward as expected.
Keep studying
More N2 patterns
to be able to; can; possible to do
View detailsUnable to; Cannot; Cannot possibly
View detailsCan't help doing; Have no choice but to...
View detailsto not ~; un~; archaic negative form of ず used in literary Japanese
View detailsWith the intention of doing; Instead of...; Act as if or pretend; Believing that...; Thinking that...
View detailsanyhow; at any rate; in any case; I have no doubt that; probably
View details