JLPT N1 grammar

案の定meaning and usage

Meaning

Just as one thought, A

How to form it

  • 案の定sentence

How it is used

An adverb: 'sure enough, just as feared'. Mostly used when a bad outcome the speaker expected actually happens. 「やはり」 works for good or bad outcomes; 「案の定」 leans towards bad ones. Used in speech and writing.

Examples

  1. 案の定、父はテレビを見ながら寝ていた。

    As expected, Dad was sleeping while he watched TV.

  2. 彼に道案内を任せたら、案の定、反対方向に連れて行かれた。

    We let him lead the way, and sure enough, he took us in the opposite direction.

  3. 満員電車にケーキを持って乗ったら、案の定、箱がつぶれてしまった。

    I took a cake onto a packed train, and sure enough, the box got crushed.