finally; at last
HSK level
终于 is written with 11 strokes (终: 8, 于: 3). The animation replays automatically.
终于 (zhōngyú) is an adverb meaning 'finally,' 'at last,' or 'in the end (after a long process).'
It almost always carries emotional color — relief, satisfaction, or release after waiting, working hard, or struggling. The structure is simple: 终于 + verb phrase, usually with 了 at the end to mark completion: 我终于到了 ('I finally arrived'). Two things differ from English 'finally.' First, 终于 cannot be used for simple sequencing (first … then … finally); for that, use 最后 (zuìhòu).
'First we ate, then we walked, finally we went home' uses 最后, not 终于. Second, 终于 implies the result is welcome or hard-won; if you say 他终于来了, you've been waiting and are relieved. For the neutral 'eventually,' 最终 (zuìzhōng) is more formal and neutral.
Note: Carries an emotional weight — relief, satisfaction, or sometimes frustration after a long wait. Use it for outcomes that took effort, time, or struggle. For neutral 'finally/in the end' (sequencing without emotion), 最后 (zuìhòu) is better.
Character by character
Memory hook: 终 (end) + 于 (at) — 'at the end' of waiting or trying. You've reached the finish line.
我终于到家了。
Wǒ zhōngyú dào jiā le.
I finally got home.
spoken
他终于学会了开车。
Tā zhōngyú xuéhuì le kāi chē.
He finally learned to drive.
neutral
等了三个小时，火车终于来了。
Děng le sān ge xiǎoshí, huǒchē zhōngyú lái le.
After waiting three hours, the train finally came.
neutral
我终于明白你的意思了。
Wǒ zhōngyú míngbai nǐ de yìsi le.
I finally understand what you mean.
spoken
经过努力，他终于成功了。
Jīngguò nǔlì, tā zhōngyú chénggōng le.
After hard work, he finally succeeded.
written
最后 means 'last/lastly/in the end' as a sequence marker — neutral, no emotional weight. Use it to list steps. 终于 carries relief after a long wait; 最后 just orders events.
最终 means 'eventually/ultimately' and is more formal and neutral, common in writing and news. 终于 is more emotional and spoken.
Acquire it by listening
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