Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 8: 17/23

遂(つい)にFinally, At last

Structure

ついに + Phrase

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About 遂に

Like とうとう, 遂(つい)に is an adverb that is frequently used to mean 'finally', or 'at last'. It will usually come at the beginning of a sentence.

  • 遂(つい)に日本(にほん)上陸(じょうりく)！！！

    Finally it has arrived in Japan!!!

    • 遂(つい)にドラゴンズが勝(か)った！

      The Dragons have finally won!

      遂(つい)に may be seen equally as often with or without kanji. When compared to 到頭(とうとう), ついに is slightly more formal.

      • 遂(つい)に最後(さいご)の日(ひ)ですね、今(いま)まで色々(いろいろ)とありがとうございました。

        Finally it is your last day. Thank you for everything up until now.

        • とうとう今日(きょう)で最後(さいご)だね。今(いま)まで色々(いろいろ)とありがとう。

          It's finally your last day. Thank you for everything up until now.

          Caution

          The kanji 遂(つい) has a meaning similar to 'to get (something) over with'. Due to this, ついに will most often be used to highlight things that have finally happened after a significant period of time, or a long course of events. It will not be used to express things that do not require time or effort.

          • 遂(つい)に結婚(けっこん)したのか！おめでとう！

            You finally married!? Congrats! (Natural)

            • 昨日(きのう)貰(もら)った袋(ふくろ)を遂(つい)に捨(す)てた。

              I finally threw away the bag I bought yesterday. (Unnatural)

              Related

              Examples

              --:--

                遂(つい)に論文(ろんぶん)を書(か)き上(あ)げた。

                I finally finished writing my thesis.

                遂(つい)に犯人(はんにん)を捕(つか)まえることができた。

                I was finally able to catch the criminal.

                遂(つい)に借金(しゃっきん)を払(はら)い終(お)えた。

                I was finally able to pay off my debt.

                遂(つい)に孫(まご)に身長(しんちょう)で負(ま)けてしまった。

                My grandchild outgrew me at last.

                彼女(かのじょ)にプロポーズをする日(ひ)が遂(つい)に来(き)た。

                The day I propose to her has finally come.

              • Get more example sentences!

                Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

              Self-Study Sentences

              Study your own way!

              Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

              遂に – Grammar Discussion

              Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

              • asdfpotato

                asdfpotato

                I’m confused as when to use つい instead of ついに

              • asdfpotato

                asdfpotato

                Update:
                つい - Used to indicate unintentionally doing something
                ついに - Finally, at last

              • casual

                casual

                ついに is always used about some positive outcome right?
                After working for something, or waiting for something, it finally happens.

                I’m a little lost with this example sentence from きり (JLPT N3) | Bunpro grammar point:

                父がついに寝たきりになってしまった。

                The outcome of becoming bedridden probably happens after a long lead-up to it, but is it something the speaker considers positive?

                Or is there a better synonym for “at long last, something predictable that we’ve been dreading, came to pass”?

              Got questions about 遂に? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

              Join the Discussion