Auxiliary WordsHSK 5
Comparing 总算 and 终于
Both 总算 and 终于 mean "finally," but 总算 adds a sense of relief or hard-won achievement, often after a long wait or difficulty. 终于 is more neutral and simply marks the eventual outcome. Use 总算 when you want to express that you're glad something finally happened.
Structure
Subj. + (总算 / 终于) + Verb + 了
总算 emphasizes relief; 终于 is neutral and factual.
Examples
- 你总算来了！Nǐ zǒng suàn lái le!You finally came!
- 我终于懂了。Wǒ zhōng yú dǒng le.I finally understood it.
- 雨总算停了。Yǔ zǒng suàn tíng le.The rain finally stopped.
- 我终于找到你了！Wǒ zhōng yú zhǎo dào nǐ le!I finally found you!
- 飞机总算起飞了！Fēi jī zǒng suàn qǐ fēi le!The plane is finally taking off!