末に
🃏 Flashcard
末に
sue ni
Tap to reveal usage
finally; after; following; at the end
N2
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading
sue ni
Post ID
51141
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
finally; after; following; at the end
📖 How to use it
Describes an action or event that happens after a long or difficult process, meaning 'after all that, finally...'.
Attaches to
Attach to the past tense of a verb (e.g., 考えた末に) or to a noun + の (e.g., 努力の末に). Never attach to the dictionary form or ます-stem.
末に expresses that something occurs as the final result of a period of effort, deliberation, or hardship. It carries a sense of conclusion after a process, often with emotional weight. It is used in writing or formal speech, not in casual conversation. For example, 迷った末に means 'after being lost (in thought), finally...' The noun form 末 (すえ) alone can also be used, but 末に is common before a verb.
長い間悩んだ末に、彼女は会社を辞めることにした。
Nagai aida nayanda sue ni, kanojo wa kaisha o yameru koto ni shita.
After worrying for a long time, she decided to quit her job.
激しい議論の末に、新しいルールが決まった。
Hageshii giron no sue ni, atarashii ruuru ga kimatta.
After intense discussion, the new rule was decided.
努力の末に、彼は試験に合格した。
Doryoku no sue ni, kare wa shiken ni goukaku shita.
After all his efforts, he passed the exam.
Not あげく (ageku)
あげく also means 'after', but it emphasizes a negative or undesirable result. 末に is neutral or positive. For example, 考えたあげく means 'after thinking (and the result was bad)', while 考えた末に just says 'after thinking'.
Register
末に is used in written language and formal speech; in casual conversation, Japanese speakers often use 結局 (kekkyoku) or 最後に (saigo ni) instead.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
末に
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat 末に three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using 末に. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N2 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern 末に mean?
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Finally; after; following; at the end
What JLPT level is 末に?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use 末に in a sentence?
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Attach 末に (sue ni) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is 末に formal or casual Japanese?
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末に is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember 末に long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.