Chinese word

终于

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhōng yú

Meaning

  • adverbfinally

Example

我终于完成了作业。wǒ zhōng yú wán chéng le zuò yè

I finally finished my homework.

Illustration for 终于 (finally)

More examples

他终于找到了工作。tā zhōng yú zhǎo dào le gōng zuò

He finally found a job.

Core concept

A process reaches its closing result after time, waiting, or repeated effort, whether that result is welcome or avoided.

Common phrases

  • 终于明白zhōng yú míng bái

    finally understand

  • 终于找到zhōng yú zhǎo dào

    finally find

  • 终于适应zhōng yú shì yìng

    finally get used to

Similar words

最后zuì hòu: Indicates the last event in an order or the conclusion of a matter.
总算zǒng suàn: Expresses relief that a desired result has come after time or difficulty.
好不容易hǎo bù róng yì: Emphasizes in everyday speech that success comes after great trouble or obstacles.
最终zuì zhōng: Points to the ultimate outcome at the end of a long process.

Definition in Chinese

表示经过一定时间、等待或反复尝试之后，某事终结为某一结果，既可表示积极实现，也可在否定句中表示未发生或避免，语气可带感慨或释然。biǎo shì jīng guò yí dìng shí jiān děng dài huò fǎn fù cháng shì zhī hòu mǒu shì zhōng jié wèi mǒu yì jié guǒ jì kě biǎo shì jī jí shí xiàn yě kě zài fǒu dìng jù zhōng biǎo shì wèi fā shēng huò bì miǎn yǔ qì kě dài gán kǎi huò shì rán

Word origin

终 (zhōng, "end") + 于 (yú, "at or toward") forms 终于 (zhōngyú, "finally"), expressing arrival at the end of a process.

Usage tips

  • In a negative sentence, this adverb can show that an expected result did not happen or was avoided, not only that a good result was achieved.

Other meanings

  • eventuallyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word