终于 zhōngyú

终于（zhōngyú）means “finally; at last (after a process)”. The adverb 终于 means "finally/at last," used when something long-awaited or difficult is realized after a process. Formation: 主语 + 终于 + 动词 + 了

finally; at last (after a process)

HSK3

Formation

主语 + 终于 + 动词 + 了

Explanation

The adverb 终于 means "finally/at last," used when something long-awaited or difficult is realized after a process. It goes before the verb, and the sentence usually ends with 了. It normally describes a positive or hoped-for result.

Examples

我 终于 到家了。
wǒ zhōngyú dào jiā le.
I finally got home.
火车 终于 来了。
huǒchē zhōngyú lái le.
The train finally came.

Note

终于 emphasizes the process before the result; for neutral "lastly" in a sequence use 最后 instead.

FAQ

终于 — what does it mean and how is it used?

finally; at last (after a process). The adverb 终于 means "finally/at last," used when something long-awaited or difficult is realized after a process. It goes before the verb, and the sentence usually ends with 了. It normally describes a positive or hoped-for result.

终于 — how do you form it?

主语 + 终于 + 动词 + 了

终于 — any usage notes?

终于 emphasizes the process before the result; for neutral "lastly" in a sequence use 最后 instead.

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