九分九厘

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 九分九厘, read くぶくりん, and it is an idiomatic noun or adverbial expression for a proportion very close to the whole.
• Basic usage: 九分九厘 means almost certainly or nine times out of ten when a result is judged highly likely.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Very high likelihood rather than a precise statistical report
  • Both examples use the form 九分九厘. The sky supports a forecast of rain, and assembled evidence supports a prediction of success; the expression conveys near certainty rather than a measured percentage.
• An afternoon rain forecast and success supported by evidence
  • 空の様子を見ると、午後は九分九厘雨だろう。 — Judging from the sky, it will almost certainly rain this afternoon.
  • 証拠がそろい、計画は九分九厘成功すると彼は考えた。 — With all the evidence in place, he thought the plan was almost certain to succeed.