到头来 dàotóulái

到头来（dàotóulái）means “in the end, after all that (final outcome, usually a disappointing one)”. 到头来 is an adverb introducing the final outcome after a whole process, and the outcome is usually negative or contrary to what was hoped — 'after all that effort, in the end. Formation: （经过一番过程，）到头来 + 结果（最终结果，多不理想）

in the end, after all that (final outcome, usually a disappointing one)

HSK6

Formation

（经过一番过程，）到头来 + 结果（最终结果，多不理想）

Explanation

到头来 is an adverb introducing the final outcome after a whole process, and the outcome is usually negative or contrary to what was hoped — 'after all that effort, in the end...'. It carries a tone of futility or regret. It typically appears at the start of the result clause, following a description of the effort or process.

Examples

忙了半天，到头来 一场空。
máng le bàntiān, dàotóulái yìchǎngkōng.
I was busy for ages, and in the end it all came to nothing.
他骗来骗去，到头来 害的是自己。
tā piàn lái piàn qù, dàotóulái hài de shì zìjǐ.
He lied and lied, and in the end the one he hurt was himself.

Note

The final result is usually disappointing; carries a sense of futility.

FAQ

到头来 — what does it mean and how is it used?

in the end, after all that (final outcome, usually a disappointing one). 到头来 is an adverb introducing the final outcome after a whole process, and the outcome is usually negative or contrary to what was hoped — 'after all that effort, in the end...'. It carries a tone of futility or regret. It typically appears at the start of the result clause, following a description of the effort or process.

到头来 — how do you form it?

（经过一番过程，）到头来 + 结果（最终结果，多不理想）

到头来 — any usage notes?

The final result is usually disappointing; carries a sense of futility.

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