Both the adverbs やはり and さすが are often translated as "as one thought." Each are also frequently described as being great examples of unique Japanese words which are hard to directly translate. This is because although "as one thought" does a good job at capturing what they generally mean, nuancing often leads to other translations being more accurate depending on the context.
In this lesson, we will take a closer look at both words so that you may have a clearer understanding on how to use them. As both of these words are frequently used in both the spoken and written languages, you'll certainly need to add them to your vocabulary.
The adverb やはり is heavily used in both the written and spoken language with the meaning of "just as one thought," but there is a wide range of situations in which it can be used in. Its nuances can be summarized into three distinct scenarios.
1. Emphasizing how something has not changed since last being compared to something else. In this sense, it can be translated as "as of yet."
2. Emphasizing how something is just as one predicted. This is synonymous with the adverb 案の定. However, the latter is more nuanced to refer to "plans/situations" being carried out as predicted.
3. Emphasizing how something remains the same/true regardless of how one thinks about it. In this sense, it is synonymous with つまるところ and 結局（のところ）. This can be translated as "in any case."
Either nuance is common in speech and writing. However, it is still possible for やはり to be taken the wrong way if used incorrectly. In either case above, the speaker has in their mind a certain conjecture (推察)--in other words, ～〇〇であろう・・・--and it turns out that the speaker is right. One's past thought is no different than one's current thought. Thus, if your thought started out negative, the use of やはり remains negative.
1. 今日こそは雪は降ってほしくなかったが、やはり雪が降ってきた。
Even thought I didn't want it to snow today of all days, it ultimately snowed.
2. あの不具合は、もう直っているかと思ったら、やはり同じところで発生してしまう。
Just when I thought that that bug had already been fixed, sure enough, it occurs in the same spot.
3. やはりコロナにかかってしまった。
Just as I (thought/had suspected), I had become infected with COVID.
Generally speaking, though, やはり is intended to be used in a more positive light. Although this is not a requirement by any means, contexts are generally positive/affirmative in nature.
4. 止められたとしても、やはりアメリカに行くつもりだ。
No matter if I'm stopped, in any case, I intend to go to America.
5. 自然の中で間近に見る富士山はやはり最高だ！
Looking at Mt. Fuji up close surrounded by nature is, as expected, the best!
6. 干ばつ後の雨はありがたいが、やはり嫌いだ。
Although rain after a drought is grateful, I still hate (the rain).
Etymology Note: Although やはり may be spelled in Kanji as 矢張り, this is 当て字 and not reflective of its origin. Considering that instances of /ha/ in modern native vocabulary occur from hypercorrections on former pronunciations, it is theorized that it was once pronounced as /yawari/ and that it shares its etymology with the /yawa-/ found in words like 柔らかい (soft).
Before seeing further examples, it must also be noted that やはり takes on several colloquial forms in the spoken language. The most common are やっぱり and やっぱ, but it is also possible to hear やっぱし in some regions.
7. やはり想像した通りの家です。
The house just as I had imagined.
8. やっぱり殺されちゃった。
(He) was killed--just as I had expected.
9. やっぱしだめだわ。
Yep, it's no good.
10. やっぱり来たのね。
Here you've come (just as expected).
11.
先生：「夏休みはどうしたんですか」
リーさん：「日本語を勉強しました」
先生：「じゃあ、たくさん勉強できたでしょう」
リーさん：「ええ、でも、夏はやっぱり暇な時間がたくさんあると思いました」
先生： 「そうですね。ところで、きのうはどんなレストランへ行ったんですか」
リーさん：「メキシコ風の料理屋へ行ってみました」
先生：「おいしかったですか」
リーさん： 「ええ、でも、（私は）韓国人だから、やっぱり味が韓国料理店のとすごく違うと思いました」
Sensei: "How was your summer break?"
Lee: "I studied Japanese."
Sensei: "Well, so you got to do a lot of studying, right?"
Lee: "Yes, but, I thought that there was a lot of free time."
Sensei: "True, by the way, what kind of restaurant did you go to yesterday?"
Lee: "I went to a Mexican-style restaurant."
Sensei: "Was it good?"
Lee: "Yes, but since I'm Korean, I thought that the flavor was quite different from a Korean restaurant."