总算 vs 终于 (finally)
Finally — with or without the sigh
- Both mean "finally / at last".
- finally终于 = finally, after a long wait (neutral or happy).
- at long last总算 = finally, with a breath of relief — usually after difficulty.
finally终于 = "finally (at long last)"
- he / him他finally终于to come来(completed / change)了 = "he's finally here."
he他finally终于come来了。
- he / him他finally终于to come来(completed / change)了 = "he finally came."
Practice
He finally came: 他 ____ 来了。
终于来了 = finally came; 总算 would add relief.
at long last总算 = "finally (phew)"
- at long last总算termination结束(completed / change)了 = "it's over at last (what a relief)."
finally总算end结束了。
- at long last总算termination结束(completed / change)了 = "it's finally over (phew)."
Explore
Which column does it belong in?
总算 sighs with relief, so it fits only outcomes someone hoped for; 终于 covers those AND the endings nobody wanted.
Practice
Which adds a breath of relief (after difficulty)?
总算 = relief after difficulty; 终于 = after a long wait.
Practice
Both 总算 and 终于 mean “finally / at last”.
Yes — same core meaning; the feeling differs.
Recap
Key idea
- finally终于 = finally, after a long wait (neutral / happy)
- at long last总算 = finally, with relief (after difficulty)
- he / him他finally终于to come来(completed / change)了 · at long last总算termination结束(completed / change)了
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Comparing similar auxiliary words.