やっぱ Actually

Jan 19, 2025

こんにちは！Sometimes, words with similar meanings can have subtle differences in nuance, especially between slang and formal expressions. This time, we’re focusing on やっぱ and exploring how its nuances can change depending on how it’s used. Let’s go🕺

All three roughly mean “as expected,” “after all,” “I knew it,” or “actually,” but their tone and formality vary depending on the context

There are four common ways to use やっぱ, やっぱり, and やはり.

💡Key Difference Between やっぱ and やっぱり

•やっぱ: Casual and light, often used in spontaneous or playful contexts.
•やっぱり: Neutral and versatile, implying stronger belief or expectation.

1. Confirmation of Expectations (“As Expected”)

Example Sentence

A: やっぱり、あの2人(ふたり)付き合(つきあ)ってるらしいよ。
As I expected, those two are dating!
B: えー！まじか、でもお似合(にあ)いだね。
What?! Seriously? But they totally suit each other.

A: やはり、あの2人(ふたり)付き合(つきあ)っているようです。
As expected, it seems those two are dating.
B: そうなんですね。確(たし)かに、お似合(にあ)いですね。
Is that so? They really do suit each other.

2. Change of Mind (“Actually”)

Example Sentence

A: やっぱ今日(きょう)クラブ行(い)くのやめにしない？気分(きぶん)じゃないんだよね。
Actually, let’s skip going to the club tonight. I’m just not feeling it.
B: え〜、まぁいいよ。
Eh, fine, whatever you want.

A: やはり今日(きょう)のパーティの出席(しゅっせき)は控(ひか)えます。
Actually, I’ve decided not to attend today’s party.
B: わかりました。またの機会(きかい)にお会(あ)いしましょう。
Understood. Let’s meet another time.

3. Emphasizing a Preference (“After All”)

Example Sentence

A: 映画(えいが)、どうだった？
How was the movie?
B: やっぱり最高(さいこう)だったよ！絶対(ぜったい)観(み)たほうがいい！
After all, it was amazing! You should definitely watch it!

A: 映画(えいが)はいかがでしたか？
How was the movie?
B: やはり素晴(すば)らしい作品(さくひん)でした。とても感動(かんどう)しました。After all, it was an excellent piece of work. I was deeply moved.

4. Realization or Agreement (“I Knew It”)

Example Sentence

A: この店(みせ)、現金(げんきん)のみっぽいね
Looks like this place is cash only.
B: あ！やっぱ現金(げんきん)持(も)ち合(あ)わせてないわ！ごめん送(おく)るから立(た)て替(か)えてくれる？
Oh! Just as I thought, I'm totally out of cash! Sorry, can you cover it for now? I’ll send you the money.

A: このお店(みせ)、現金(げんきん)のみのようですね
It seems this place is cash only.
B: すみません、やはり現金(げんきん)を持(も)ち合(あ)わせてなく…一旦(いったん)立(た)て替(か)えていただけますか？
I apologize, but just as I thought, I find I don't have any cash on hand…Could you possibly pay on my behalf for now?