ついに

つ

い

に

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

adverb

finally; at last; in the end

usually written using kana alone

Expresses that something long-awaited or long-expected has happened after a process or passage of time. Often carries a sense of culmination or resolution.

長ながい冬ふゆが終おわり、ついに春はるが来きた。
The long winter ended, and spring finally came.

彼かれはついに夢ゆめを実じつ現げんさせた。

He finally realized his dream.

2

adverb

in the end; after all; never (with negative)

usually written using kana alone

Used with a negative verb to mean that something did not happen in the end, or that a situation remained unchanged despite expectations. Often implies 'after all' or 'ultimately not'.

彼かれはついに来こなかった。
He never came (in the end).
その問もん題だいはついに解かい決けつしなかった。
The problem was never solved.

Written forms

ついにUsage86%
Standard modern spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
遂ついにUsage13%
Common kanji form, but kana is preferred in everyday writing.
終ついにUsage1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
竟ついにUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.

Kanji

遂consummate, accomplish, attain
終end, finish
竟end, finally

Similar words

やっと
やっと emphasizes relief after effort or waiting, often for something barely achieved. ついに is more neutral and can be used for both positive and negative outcomes, and with negative verbs.
とうとう
とうとう is very similar to ついに, but can sound slightly more colloquial or emotional. ついに is slightly more formal and often used in writing.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Japanese adverb つひに (tsuini), which originally meant 'finally' or 'in the end'. The modern form ついに is a regular sound change from the classical form.