1.
finally, at last
After a long time or effort.
2.
in the end, never
Used with negatives for 'never in the end'.
ついに indicates that something has finally happened after a long wait or extended effort.
TWO USAGE PATTERNS:
1. ついに + affirmative: finally achieved (after long effort/wait)
2. ついに + negative: never in the end (despite expectations)
EXAMPLES:
- ついに完成した: It was finally completed
- ついに来なかった: In the end, [they] never came
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ついに: finally (neutral, emphasizes long duration)
- とうとう: finally (nearly interchangeable with ついに)
- やっと: finally (emphasizes relief or difficulty)
- いよいよ: finally, at last (often with anticipation)
NUANCE:
ついに and とうとう are often interchangeable, but やっと carries more emotional relief. Use やっと when the speaker struggled to achieve something.
KANJI:
The kanji 遂に is sometimes used in formal writing, but hiragana ついに is more common.