Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
An adverb that expresses a feeling of expectation, confirmation, or doubt.
🎯 Primary Function
To confirm if an expectation was met (“as expected,” “sure enough”) or to express doubt/question whether something is true or will happen (“really?”, “indeed?”).
📋 Grammar Structure
果たして acts as an adverb. It typically appears at the beginning of the clause or sentence it modifies.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in formal contexts, particularly the “as expected” nuance in written or formal speech.
Informal Situations
Less common in very casual speech, especially the “as expected” nuance. The “really?” nuance can appear in more emphatic informal questions, but is still slightly elevated.
Written Language
Frequently used in articles, literature, and formal reports to express confirmation or raise questions.
Spoken Language
Used in spoken Japanese, but often carries a slightly more thoughtful or emphatic tone than simpler adverbs.
💡 Common Applications
Confirming an expected outcome
Used when the result of an event matches a prediction or expectation.
Example: 難しいと言われていた試験に合格した。果たして、努力は報われた。 (Muzukashii to iwarete ita shiken ni goukaku shita. Hatashite, doryoku wa mukuwareta.) – I passed the exam that was said to be difficult. As expected, my efforts paid off.
Expressing doubt or questioning
Used when questioning the truth of something or whether something will truly happen, often with question particles like 〜だろうか.
Example: 彼は絶対に間に合うと言った。果たして、時間通りに来るだろうか？ (Kare wa zettai ni maniau to itta. Hatashite, jikan doori ni kuru darou ka?) – He said he would definitely be on time. Really, will he come on time?
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Frequency
Moderate. It is a common adverb found in N2 level texts and conversations, but not used in every sentence.
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (N2). Understanding its nuances requires a good grasp of context.
Example Sentences
長年の夢だった海外旅行。果たして、写真で見た通りの美しい景色がそこにあった。(Chounen no yume datta kaigai ryokou. Hatashite, shashin de mita toori no utsukushii keshiki ga soko ni atta.)
It was a long-cherished dream to travel abroad. Sure enough, the beautiful scenery I saw in the photos was there.
この新しい政策は経済を活性化させると政府は言う。果たして、その効果は現れるのだろうか？ (Kono atarashii seisaku wa keizai o kasseika saseru to seifu wa iu. Hatashite, sono kouka wa arawareru no darou ka?)
The government says this new policy will revitalize the economy. Indeed, will its effects appear?
彼は自信満々に「勝てる」と言っていた。果たして、結果はどうだったのだろう。(Kare wa jishin manman ni “kateru” to itte ita. Hatashite, kekka wa dou datta no darou.)
He said “I can win” full of confidence. Really, what was the result?
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Dual Meaning
果たして can mean “as expected/sure enough” or “really?/indeed?”. The meaning depends heavily on the context, especially whether it is followed by a result or a question/expression of doubt.
Example: 結果が期待通りだった場合: 果たして、彼は約束を守った。(As expected, he kept his promise.) / 結果が不明で疑問の場合: 果たして、彼は約束を守るだろうか。(Really, will he keep his promise?)
Often Paired with Questions/Uncertainty
When expressing doubt, it frequently appears before phrases like 〜だろうか (~darou ka), 〜か (~ka), 〜のか (~no ka), etc., which indicate a question or uncertainty.
Example: 果たして、本当にそれが可能なのだろうか？ (Hatashite, hontou ni sore ga kanou nano darou ka?) – Indeed, is that truly possible?
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using 果たして simply as “really” or “truly” (本当に) without the nuance of expectation or doubt.
✅ Understand that 果たして implies a pre-existing thought or claim that is being confirmed or questioned.
While it can translate to “really?”, it’s not a direct synonym for 本当に in all contexts. It adds the nuance of checking against an expectation or statement.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Generally neutral, can be used in polite contexts.
Social Situations: Suitable for situations requiring thoughtful expression or analysis.
Regional Variations: None notable.
🔍 Subtle Differences
果たして vs. やはり/やっぱり (yahari/yappari)
While やはり/やっぱり also mean “as expected,” they are more general confirmations. 果たして often suggests a stronger, sometimes more suspenseful, sense of checking if an expectation, hope, or fear was met. It can also imply that the result was perhaps surprising despite the expectation.
When to use: Use やはり/やっぱり for general confirmation. Use 果たして when the confirmation of an expectation feels significant, or when you are specifically checking if a prediction or claim was true.
果たして vs. 本当に (hontou ni)
本当に means “really,” “truly,” “genuinely” and simply emphasizes the truthfulness or degree of something. 果たして adds the layer of comparing the reality to an expectation or a perceived truth, either confirming or questioning it.
When to use: Use 本当に for simple emphasis or confirmation of truth. Use 果たして when the emphasis is on whether something lives up to a specific expectation or claim.
果たして vs. まさに (masani)
まさに means “exactly,” “surely,” “certainly.” While it can express strong confirmation, it doesn’t inherently carry the nuance of checking against a prior expectation in the same way 果たして does.
When to use: Use まさに to emphasize that something is precisely as described or certain. Use 果たして when the confirmation relates to a prior expectation or doubt.
📝 Conjugation Notes
果たして is an adverb and does not conjugate.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced “ha-ta-shi-te”. The emphasis is relatively flat.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 果たして (hatashite) being like “Was the result *fulfilled* (果たす – hatasu)?”. If it was, then “as expected!”. If the speaker is unsure if it *will* be fulfilled, then “really?”.
Practice Exercises
彼は「絶対に大丈夫だ」と言った。___、本当に大丈夫だろうか？
やはり
まさに
果たして
本当に
雨が降ると予想されていた。___、夕方から降り出した。
本当に
もしも
まさか
果たして
彼が犯人だなんて、___思わなかった。
やはり
どうしても
まさか
いきなり
___あの優しい人が嘘をつくなんて信じられない。
やっと
まさか
めったに
しばらく
___、彼が私のことを好きだったなんて知らなかった。
だんだん
ちゃんと
まさか
もしかして
試験に合格したけど、___落ちるかと思ったよ。
まさか
まるで
きっと
たしかに
___彼がこんな大失敗をするとは誰も予想しなかった。
いつも
なるほど
もちろん
まさか
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