案(あん)の定(じょう)

あんのじょう

adverb

sure enough; as expected

expression cognition

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(あん)の定(じょう)、電車(でんしゃ)に乗(の)り遅(おく)れた。

Sure enough, I missed the train.

案(あん)の定(じょう)、彼(かれ)は約束(やくそく)を忘(わす)れていた。

As expected, he had forgotten the promise.

雨(あめ)が降(ふ)りそうだと思(おも)ったら、案(あん)の定(じょう)降(ふ)ってきた。

I thought it looked like rain, and sure enough, it started raining.

Etymology

案(あん) (plan, expectation) + の (possessive) + 定(じょう) (fixed, determined)
Literally: "as the expectation was fixed" → "just as expected"

Usage

Typically used when a negative or undesirable outcome that was anticipated actually occurs. Less commonly used for positive surprises.

Similar words

やはり/やっぱり - as expected (more neutral, can be positive or negative)
思(おも)った通(とお)り - just as I thought
予想(よそう)通(どお)り - as predicted
果(は)たして - as expected, sure enough (more literary)
意外(いがい)にも - unexpectedly
思(おも)いのほか - more than expected

Related Words

Synonym: やはり (as expected (neutral))

Compare: やっぱり (as expected)

Compare: 予想通(よそうどお)り (as predicted)

Compare: 果(は)たして (as expected, sure enough)

Compare: 思(おも)いのほか (more than expected)

Compare: やっぱ (as expected, after all, still)

general

Added 2026.1.20 19:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

07500/07578_annojou