The Meaning of hatashite [果たして] In Japanese

果たして
はたして
Romaji: hatashite N4

What does 果たして mean?

Translation and Meaning

indeed, as expected, after all, whether or not

Definition

果たして means ‘indeed; as expected’ and is used to introduce a clause that confirms or questions whether something happened as anticipated, signaling the speaker’s sense of outcome or doubt.

Type

conjunctive adverb (接続副詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Used at the start of a sentence to express doubt, expectation, or to frame the following clause as to whether something happened as expected.
  • Often introduces a question or contrast, equivalent to ‘I wonder’ or ‘as it turns out’ depending on context.
  • Can precede a main clause with か or でしょうか to form a question or to assert the outcome of a situation.

Etymology

果たす (hatasu, to accomplish) + て-form creates the conjunctive adverbial form 果たして used to connect a lead-in clause with the main clause, conveying result or confirmation.

Composition

  • 果: conveys the idea of result or end product, contributing the nuance of bringing something to fruition
  • たす: the verb ending (okurigana) forming 果たす, meaning to accomplish or fulfill; combined with 果 yields the sense of bringing something to completion

Usage

Used at the start of a sentence to frame a claim about expectation or outcome; suitable for both formal writing and spoken Japanese; often followed by か or attached to the main clause to indicate the outcome statement.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a ripe fruit (果) finally being achieved (たす); the て-form strings the thought to what comes next, signaling completion and linking to the following clause.

Variations

  • 本当に (hontō ni) — truly, really
  • いったい (ittai) — what on earth; expresses strong doubt
  • 結局 (kekkyoku) — eventually; used to link to the final outcome

Example Phrases

  • 果たして 今日の天気 は どう なる だろう。
    hatashite kyou no tenki wa dou naru darou.
    I wonder how today’s weather will turn out.
    Lista:
    • 果たして (hatashite) – as it turns out
    • 今日の天気 (kyou no tenki) – today’s weather
    • は (wa) – topic marker
    • どう (dou) – how
    • なる (naru) – will turn out
    • だろう。 (darou.) – probably
    果たして is a sentence-initial expression that introduces a question about the outcome; in this sentence it expresses 「I wonder how」 the weather will turn out.
果たして