What it means
所詮 expresses a resigned, dismissive, or cynical conclusion that something is ultimately limited to a certain result or status. It is often translated as “after all,” “in the end,” or “at best,” depending on context. It commonly introduces a judgment about the unavoidable outcome or fundamental nature of a person, plan, or situation, and is more evaluative than a neutral time expression.
Usage note
所詮 often carries a negative, skeptical, or resigned nuance. Do not use it as a neutral equivalent of “eventually”; expressions such as 結局 are usually more neutral when simply summarizing an outcome.
How to use it
所詮、彼の計画は途中で行き詰まります。
After all, his plan will run into difficulties halfway through.
所詮、彼の計画は途中で行き詰まる。
After all, his plan will run into difficulties halfway through.
Example sentences
どれほど精巧な計画を立てても、所詮は予算の制約を受ける。
No matter how elaborate a plan one makes, it is, after all, constrained by the budget.
所詮、実験結果が再現できなければ、その理論は仮説にすぎない。
Ultimately, if the experimental results cannot be reproduced, the theory is nothing more than a hypothesis.
最新の設備を