案の定

• Reading: あんのじょう
• Romaji: annojō
• Kanji breakdown: 案 (an) — plan, idea, expectation; 定 (jō) — fixed, settled, determined
• Pronunciation: /a.n.no.dʑoː/

Meaning

As expected; just as one thought; sure enough. Confirming that a prediction was correct.

An adverb used to introduce an outcome that matches a prior expectation or worry. Almost always confirms a negative prediction, though it can occasionally be neutral. Placed at the beginning of a clause to signal that what follows was anticipated. Similar to やはり/やっぱり but more emphatic and slightly more formal.

Examples

1. 傘を持たずに出たら案の定雨が降ってきた。 Sure enough, it started raining after I left without an umbrella.
2. 準備不足で案の定試験に落ちてしまった。 Just as I expected, I failed the exam for lack of preparation.
3. 案の定彼は約束の時間に遅れてきた。 Sure enough, he showed up late as I knew he would.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, storytelling, complaints

Tone: resigned

Origin & History

From 案 (an, idea/expectation) + の + 定 (jō, fixed/settled). Literally 'as the expectation was settled,' meaning the outcome matched what was anticipated from the start.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal