九く分ぶ九く厘りん

adverb

almost certainly; in all probability; ten to one

Adverbial use expressing very high likelihood; literally 'nine bu nine rin' (99%). Often used with 〜だろう or 〜に違いない.

• 彼かれが遅ち刻こくするのは九く分ぶ九く厘りん間ま違ちがいない。

  It's almost certain he'll be late.

• この計けい画かくは九く分ぶ九く厘りん成せい功こうするだろう。

  This plan will succeed in all probability.

noun

near-completeness; ninety-nine percent finished

Noun use, often in the pattern 九分九厘まで to mean something is almost complete or nearly perfect.

• 準じゅん備びは九く分ぶ九く厘りんまで整ととのっている。

  Preparations are ninety-nine percent complete.