はたして (hatashite)

Meaning & usage

はたして is a sentence adverb that expresses doubt about whether something is really true or confirms that an outcome matched expectations. It appears at the start of a clause that often ends with だろうか or のか for doubt, or with a plain statement of the result for confirmation. It does not conjugate and does not attach to a specific noun or verb form. It belongs to formal written style and suits news, essays, and narration.

Example sentences 4

1. だめだろうと思おもっていたが果はたして失敗しっぱいだった。

   I was afraid it would not work out well and sure enough it failed.

2. その知らせははたして本当だろうか。

   Can the news be true?

3. そのうわさは果たして本当だろうか。

   Can the rumor be true?

4. はたして彼の話は本当だろうか。

   Can his story be true?