Grammar Point:
总算 zǒngsuàn is an adverb in Chinese that means “finally,” “at long last,” or “after all the effort or waiting.” It is used to express a sense of relief, satisfaction, or achievement after overcoming challenges or enduring a long process.
Structure
S + 总算 zǒngsuàn + V or Adj
总算 zǒngsuàn often conveys the speaker’s emotional relief or satisfaction after a process of struggle, hard work, or waiting. Also often hints that the outcome took longer or was harder to achieve than expected.
火車晚了兩個小時,總算來了火车晚了两个小时,总算来了
The train was delayed for two hours but finally arrived.
天氣總算晴了天气总算晴了
The weather is finally good.
等了那麼久,你總算回來了等了那么久,你总算回来了
After waiting so long, you finally came back.
佛地魔總算死了佛地魔总算死了
Voldemort is finally dead.
我總算考過HSK5了我总算考过HSK5了
I finally passed the HSK Level 5 exam.
我總算寫完了我的畢業論文了我总算写完了我的毕业论文了
I finally finished writing my graduation thesis.
孩子總算安靜了孩子总算安静了
The kids have finally quieted down.
戰爭總算結束了战争总算结束了
The war is finally over.
Comparison
总算 zǒngsuàn, 終于 zhōngyú, and 到底 dàodǐ are all used to emphasize outcomes or resolutions, but they have distinct nuances and contexts in Chinese:
我總算考過HSK5了我总算考过HSK5了
I finally passed the HSK Level 5 exam.
(After some struggle.)
我終於考過HSK5了我终于考过HSK5了
I finally passed the HSK Level 5 exam.
(After years of effort.)
你到底考過HSK5了沒有?你到底考过HSK5了没有?
Did you pass HSK Level 5 or not?
(Express impatience or urgency for a clear answer.)
Word | Focus | Tone | Context Examples |
---|---|---|---|
总算 zǒngsuàn | Outcome after struggle or a long wait | Relief, struggle | Conclusions, personal effort |
終于 zhōngyú | Outcome after a long process or difficulty | Neutral, objective | Conclusions, passage of time |
到底 dàodǐ | Seeking clarity | Intensity, demand | Used in questions, exclamations. |
- Express “Finally” with 到底 dàodǐ (HSK 3)