wonder if/how ~ really?
wonder if/how ~ actually?
sure enough
as expected
Structure
- 果たして + Question
- 果たして + Phrase
果たして + Phrase → Mostly found in literature
[Used to express and emphasize assumption or skepticism. Often used with だろうか、でしょうか、であろうか when emphasizing skepticism. Usually written using hiragana]
[Whether or not はたして expresses skepticism (本当に〜だろうか) or assumption (やっぱりそうなった), all depends on what follows]
Can someone explain the nuance here?
ゆきさんとともこさんは長い間、付き合っていた。 はたして 、彼らは結婚した。
The English translation uses “sure enough”, which sounds like high certainty, but the grammar explanation says this expresses assumption or skepticism, which sounds like low certainty?
Hey @FredKore !
This expression is used to express skepticism when used with words like, だろうか、でしょうか、であろうか. If the phrase that comes after はたして is not expressing skepticism, it is used as ‘sure enough’ with the nuance of high certainty.