Translation guide
Expresses that something happens or is true in accordance with what was anticipated. Covers both neutral confirmation and emotional reactions like relief or satisfaction.
案の定、彼は遅刻した。
As expected, he was late.
やっぱり！
I knew it!
The speaker states that an outcome matches their prior expectation, often neutrally.
A common adverbial phrase meaning 'just as I thought' or 'sure enough'. Used when a predicted (often negative) outcome occurs.
案の定、彼は遅刻した。
Sure enough, he was late.
案の定、雨が降り出した。
As expected, it started raining.
Casual adverb meaning 'as I thought' or 'after all'. Very common in conversation. Can also express a change of mind.
やっぱり、そうだったんだ。
I knew it. / Just as I thought.
やっぱり彼が犯人だった。
He was the culprit after all.
Literally 'just as I thought'. Used when something matches one's personal prediction.
思った通り、試験は難しかった。
As I expected, the exam was difficult.
More formal than 思った通り, meaning 'as expected' based on objective prediction or forecast.
予想通り、売り上げが伸びた。
As expected, sales increased.
The speaker indicates that a situation is only natural given the circumstances, often with a nuance of 'of course'.
Adverb or na-adjective meaning 'naturally', 'of course', or 'as a matter of course'. Implies logical consequence.
彼が怒るのは当然だ。
It's only natural that he's angry.
当然、反対意見も出た。
Naturally, there were opposing opinions.
Na-adjective meaning 'obvious', 'natural', or 'to be expected'. Often used in casual speech.
Literary phrase meaning 'it is quite natural' or 'no wonder'. Used in formal or written contexts.
The speaker expresses emotional satisfaction that a desired outcome occurred as anticipated.
Means 'as hoped/expected'. Emphasizes that the result met one's hopes or expectations.
期待通りの結果が出て嬉しい。
I'm happy that we got the results we hoped for.
The speaker notes that a person or thing lives up to its reputation or typical behavior.
Adverb expressing admiration that someone/something is as good as expected or lives up to their reputation. Often used as 'さすが（だ）'.
さすがプロ、仕事が早い。
As expected of a pro, he works fast.
さすがに疲れた。
I'm tired, as you might expect.
Literary phrase meaning 'as the name suggests' or 'famed'. Used for things that live up to their reputation.
案の定 is more objective and often used for negative outcomes. やっぱり is subjective and can be used for both positive and negative situations, and also to express a change of mind.
案の定、失敗した。
As expected, I failed.
やっぱり、こっちの方がいい。
After all, this one is better.
The English phrase 'as expected' can often be translated directly as 予想通り or 思った通り, but in casual conversation, やっぱり or 案の定 are more natural. Using 期待通り implies a hopeful expectation, not just a prediction.
映画は期待通り面白かった。
The movie was as good as I expected.
案の定、電車は混んでいた。
As expected, the train was crowded.
彼が成功するのは当たり前だ。
It's only natural that he succeeds.
I thought his reaction was only to be expected.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'everything one could wish for' or 'just as one desired'. Expresses perfect satisfaction.
この天気は願ったり叶ったりだ。
This weather is just what we wanted.
名にし負う名刀だ。
It's a famous sword, just as its reputation suggests.