1.
sure enough; as expected; just as one thought
Used when something happens exactly as one predicted or worried it would, often with slightly negative expectations.
案の定、電車に乗り遅れた。
Sure enough, I missed the train.
案の定、彼は約束を忘れていた。
As expected, he had forgotten the promise.
雨が降りそうだと思ったら、案の定降ってきた。
I thought it looked like rain, and sure enough, it started raining.
WORD STRUCTURE:
案 (plan, expectation) + の (possessive) + 定 (fixed, determined)
Literally: "as the expectation was fixed" → "just as expected"
USAGE NOTES:
Typically used when a negative or undesirable outcome that was anticipated actually occurs. Less commonly used for positive surprises.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- やはり/やっぱり - as expected (more neutral, can be positive or negative)
- 思った通り - just as I thought
- 予想通り - as predicted
- 果たして - as expected, sure enough (more literary)
CONTRAST:
- 意外にも - unexpectedly
- 思いのほか - more than expected