やはり
yahari[ja̠ha̠ɾʲi]
The English phrase 'as expected' is expressed in Japanese as やはり (yahari).
The word やはり is used to express that a result or situation confirms a prior expectation or suspicion. It indicates that something happened exactly as one thought it would.
Which one should you use?
While やはり means 'as expected' based on a prediction, it is distinct from words like いつも which mean 'as usual' and imply a repetitive habit.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, やはり typically appears at the beginning of a clause or before the verb to modify the entire situation.
How do you pronounce it?
yahari
Did you know?
- The formal やはり may actually be a 'hypercorrection' derived from the casual やっぱり. This happened when speakers tried to make the word sound more proper by changing the sounds.
- While 'as expected' in English is often a neutral logical conclusion, using やはり can signal that a secret personal suspicion has been confirmed.
- In spontaneous daily conversation, the emphatic やっぱり is so dominant that the standard やはり can sound unnaturally stiff if used in the wrong social context.
Examples in context
- 予想通り、彼は優れた仕事をしました。As expected, he did an excellent job.
- 会議は予定通り進行しました。The meeting proceeded as planned.
- 彼の努力の結果はやっぱりすごい。The result of his efforts is amazing, as expected.
- 試合は最初から当然のように彼の勝ちになった。The game was a win for him from the start, as expected.
- やはり、彼は合格しました。yahari, kare wa goukaku shimashita.As expected, he passed the exam.
- やはり雨が降ってきましたね。yahari ame ga futte kimashita ne.As expected, it started raining, didn't it?
- この店のケーキはやはり美味しいです。kono mise no keiki wa yahari oishii desu.The cakes at this shop are as delicious as I expected.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 美咲 Misakiやはり、結末は感動的でしたね。yahari, ketsumatsu wa kandouteki deshita ne.As expected, the ending was moving, wasn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、美咲さんの言う通りです。hai, Misaki-san no iu toori desu.Yes, it's just as you say, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんもそう思いますか？Hiroto-san mo sou omoimasu ka?Do you think so too, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoええ、とても素晴らしい映画でした。ee, totemo subarashii eiga deshita.Yes, it was a truly wonderful movie.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry やはり, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries やはり, CC BY-SA 4.0.
