末了 (mò liǎo) — (colloquial noun or adverbial) the end; the final part; finally, in the end

Definition

末了 (mòliǎo) is a colloquial word for 'the end / finally' — often used adverbially, as in 末了我们决定… Unlike the more literary 最后, it sounds everyday and spoken.

noun
(colloquial noun or adverbial) the endthe final partfinallyin the end
Easily confused

Examples

  • 末了。
    mò liǎo Wǒ men hái shì jué dìng qù lǚ xíng.
    In the end, we still decided to go on the trip.
  • 末了。
    Tā zài mò liǎo yòu shuō le yí biàn xiè xie.
    At the end, he said thank you again.
  • ，末了。
    Zhè ge gù shi yǒu diǎn r cháng, dàn mò liǎo hěn yǒu yì si.
    This story is a bit long, but the ending is very interesting.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

末mòend
了liǎofinish

末 means end, and 了 means finish; together they point to the final point.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

末 adds a mark at the top of a tree-like shape to show its tip or end.

Open 末 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

了 was once drawn to show a baby with no arms; some old comments say it showed crossed or tangled legs.

Open 了 →

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