遂(つい)に

ついに
adverb
finally, at last
descriptive
1. finally, at last
After a long time or effort.
ついに完成(かんせい)した。
It was finally completed.
ついに夢(ゆめ)が叶(かな)った。
My dream has finally come true.
ついに真実(しんじつ)が分(わ)かった。
At last, I learned the truth.
ついに頂上(ちょうじょう)に着(つ)いた。
We finally reached the summit.
ついにこの日(ひ)が来(き)た。
This day has finally come.
ついに優勝(ゆうしょう)した。
We finally won the championship.
2. in the end, never
Used with negatives for 'never in the end'.
ついに会(あ)えなかった。
In the end, we never met.
ついに彼(かれ)は来(こ)なかった。
In the end, he never came.
ついに謎(なぞ)が解(と)けなかった。
In the end, the mystery was never solved.
ついに返事(へんじ)が来(こ)なかった。
In the end, no reply ever came.
ついに最後(さいご)まで理由(りゆう)を教(おし)えてくれなかった。
In the end, they never told me the reason.

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

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)

Usage

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.

Writing

The kanji 遂(つい)に is sometimes used in formal writing, but hiragana ついに is more common.

Related Words

Synonym: とうとう (finally (interchangeable))
Synonym: やっと (finally (relief/difficulty))
Compare: いよいよ (finally, at last)
Compare: やがて (before long, soon)
Compare: 最後(さいご)には (in the end, at the end, ultimately)
core
Added 2026.1.9 17:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
02000/02360_tsuini