Translation and Meaning of: 遂に - tsuini

The Japanese word 遂に [ついに] is an adverb that carries a unique emotional and temporal weight in the Japanese language. If you have ever watched anime, dramas, or even read manga, you have probably encountered this expression during decisive or impactful moments. In this article, we will explore its meaning, everyday use, and how it fits into Japanese culture, along with tips for memorizing it effectively.

Understanding 遂に goes beyond simple translation. It appears in contexts where something finally happens after a long wait or effort, often with a nuance of relief, achievement, or even inevitability. If you are studying Japanese, knowing this word can enrich your understanding of more expressive dialogues and texts. Let’s dive into the details that make ついに such a special word.

Meaning and usage of 遂に [ついに]

The term 遂に is used to express that something has finally happened after a long period of time, expectation, or preparation. Unlike words such as やっと (which also means "finally"), ついに carries a stronger sense of conclusion, often linked to significant events or irreversible changes. For example, it can be used when a project is completed after years of work or when a dream comes true.

In negative contexts, ついに can also convey a tone of inevitability, as in "ついに彼は去ってしまった" (Finally, he has left). In this case, there is a nuance that the departure was expected, yet still impactful. This duality makes the word versatile but requires attention to context to avoid misunderstandings in translation.

The origin and components of 遂に

The kanji writing of ついに is 遂に, where the character 遂 (tsui) carries the meaning of "to conclude" or "to carry out". This kanji is composed of the radical ⻌ (which indicates movement) and 豕 (wild boar), a combination that originally referred to the idea of pursuing something to the end. Over time, the meaning evolved into something more abstract, related to the conclusion of actions or events.

It is worth noting that, although the kanji 遂 is the most correct to write ついに, it is common to see the word written only in hiragana in everyday life. This happens because the reading is not intuitive for many Japanese people, especially the younger ones. If you are learning Japanese, recognizing the form in hiragana is just as important as understanding the kanji.

Tips for memorizing and using ついに correctly

An effective way to reinforce the meaning of ついに is to associate it with significant moments. Think of situations like "I finally managed to speak Japanese!" or "I finally passed the exam." These examples show how the word is used to highlight achievements after prolonged effort.

Another tip is to pay attention to the emotional tone of the sentence. While やっと can be used for everyday things (like "やっと電車が来た" – Finally, the train arrived), ついに is more common in situations with greater emotional weight or significance. If you watch dramatic scenes in animes or Japanese movies, you'll see that ついに often appears in key moments of the plot.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

とうとう (toutou) - Finally, after a long time or effort, a result has been achieved.
ついに (tsuini) - Finally, used to indicate the conclusion of a process or the arrival of a awaited event.
いよいよ (iyoiyo) - Finally, marked by a sense of growing anticipation, often used when something reaches its climax.