到头来 dàotóulái in the end
in the end; finally; as a result
How to remember 到头来: 到 arrive + 头 head + 来 come = in the end.
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How it is used
- Introduces an outcome after all the effort, usually a disappointing or ironic one - 忙了一年，到头来一场空 (mángle yì nián, dàotóulái yì chǎng kōng) worked all year, and in the end got nothing.
- Colloquial; leans negative, unlike neutral 最后 (finally) or 结果 (as a result).
- Sits at the front of the result clause, often after a clause describing wasted effort or wrong choices.