Usage of 终于
'终于' is an adverb used to express that something has happened at last or after a long wait or effort. It often conveys relief or satisfaction that a desired outcome has been reached.
Common Contexts
It is frequently used in spoken and written Chinese to emphasize the completion of a process or the arrival of an expected event. It usually appears before the verb or verb phrase it modifies.
Collocations and Patterns
- 终于 + Verb Phrase: Indicates the eventual occurrence of an action.
- 终于 + 完成 (wánchéng): to finally complete
- 终于 + 明白 (míngbái): to finally understand
- 终于 + 来了 (lái le): to finally arrive
Nuance and Register
'终于' often implies that the event was anticipated or awaited, sometimes after difficulty or delay. It is neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse '终于' with '最后' (zuìhòu), which means 'last' or 'final' but does not carry the same sense of relief or culmination after effort. '终于' emphasizes the successful completion or arrival after waiting.