终于 zhōngyú at last
at last; in the end; finally
How to remember 终于: 终 end + 于 at = at last.
Characters
How it is used
- "Finally, at last" after long waiting or effort - 我终于明白了 (wǒ zhōngyú míngbái le) I finally get it.
- Carries relief/payoff, so it fits desired outcomes; for a plain sequence "then/afterwards" use 后来, and for "finally" in a list (lastly) use 最后 (zuìhòu).
- Adverb before the verb, usually with 了 marking the arrival of the long-awaited result.
Example sentences
- 终于不下雨了。 Zhōngyú búxiàyǔ le.At last it's stopped raining.
- 终于开始下雨了。 Zhōngyú kāishǐ xiàyǔ le.At last, it began to rain.
- 我终于到达了山顶。 Wǒ zhōngyú dàodále shāndǐng.I finally got to the top of the mountain.