Usage note
终于这个词用来表示最后实现或完成某事。
zhōngyú zhège cí yòng lái biǎoshì zuǐhòu shíxíng huò wánchéng mǒgè shì.
The word 终于 is used to indicate the final realization or completion of something.
Context note
终于常用于描述经历长时间等待或努力后，某事最终发生的情况。
zhōngyú cháng yòng lái míngbù xǔ shuō lǐxíng zhǎngjiàng dāndài huò nǔlì hòu, mǒgè shì zhōngshēn fāshēng de kuàngqíng.
终于 is often used to describe situations where something finally happens after a long wait or effort.
5 examples
妈妈终于下班了。
mā ma zhōng yú xià bān le。
Mom has finally finished work.
我们终于可以去公园玩了。
wǒ men zhōng yú kě yǐ qù gōng yuán wán le。
We can finally go to the park to play.
他终于完成了作业。
tā zhōng yú wán chéng le zuò yè。
He finally completed his homework.
等了好久，火车终于来了。
děng le hǎo jiǔ， huǒ chē zhōng yú lái le。
After waiting for a long time, the train has finally arrived.
我们终于找到了丢失的钥匙。
wǒ men zhōng yú zhǎo dào le diū shī de yào shi。
We finally found the lost key.
5 mini stories
小明终于完成了他的拼图游戏。他很开心。
xiǎo míng zhōng yú wán chéng le tā de pīn tú yóu xì。 tā hěn kāi xīn。
Xiaoming has finally completed his puzzle game. He is very happy.
妈妈终于同意带我们去游乐园了。我们很高兴。
mā ma zhōng yú tóng yì dài wǒ men qù yóu lè yuán le。 wǒ men hěn gāo xìng。
Mom finally agreed to take us to the amusement park. We are very excited.
小红终于学会了骑自行车。她很开心。
xiǎo hóng zhōng yú xué huì le qí zì xíng chē。 tā hěn kāi xīn。
Xiaohong has finally learned how to ride a bicycle. She is very happy.
我们终于找到了丢失的宠物狗。它很健康。
wǒ men zhōng yú zhǎo dào le diū shī de chǒng wù gǒu。 tā hěn jiàn kāng。
We have finally found our lost pet dog. It is in good health.
他终于完成了他的报告。老师表扬了他。
tā zhōng yú wán chéng le tā de bào gào。 lǎo shī biǎo yáng le tā。
He has finally completed his report. The teacher praised him.
Mini dialogue
下雨了
A
雨停了吗？
Yǔ tíng le ma?
Has the rain stopped?
B
终于停了，我们可以出去玩了。
Zhōngyú tíng le, wǒmen kěyǐ chūqù wán le.
It finally stopped; we can go out and play now.
找到书
A
你在找什么？
Nǐ zài zhǎo shénme?
What are you looking for?
B
我的故事书，终于找到了！
Wǒ de gùshi shū, zhōngyú zhǎodào le!
My storybook, I finally found it!
Related words and contrasts
similar
最后
zuìhòu
in the end; finally
Both can show something happens after a long wait.
contrast
立刻
lìkè
immediately
终于 suggests a long wait; 立刻 means right away.