はたして (hatashite)

Meaning & usage

はたして is an adverb that questions whether something is really the case, often appearing with か、だろうか、or かしら in sentences expressing doubt. It modifies the whole clause and can also mean something happened just as expected. It sits before the predicate it questions, with no special attachment rules.

Example sentences 5

1. 彼かれがその事じ実じつを否ひ定ていしたというのははたして本ほん当とうかしら。

   Can it be true that he has denied that fact?

2. これははたして彼の書いた物だろうか。

   Could this be his writing?

3. その知らせははたして本当だろうか。

   Can the news be true?

4. そのニュースははたして本当かしら。

   Can the news be true?

5. はたして彼の話は本当だろうか。

   Can his story be true?