1.
sooner or later, eventually
At some point in the future, whether soon or after some time. Implies that the outcome is inevitable.
早晩問題になるだろう。
It will become a problem sooner or later.
この状況は早晩行き詰まるに違いない。
This situation is bound to reach a dead end sooner or later.
技術の進歩により、この仕事は早晩なくなると言われている。
It is said that due to advances in technology, this job will eventually disappear.
USAGE:
A formal, written-style adverb. Literally combines 早い (early) and 晩い (late), meaning "whether early or late." Used to express that something is inevitable regardless of timing. More literary than いずれ or そのうち.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- いずれ: eventually, someday (slightly more common)
- そのうち: sooner or later, one of these days (conversational)
- 遅かれ早かれ: sooner or later (set phrase)