結局
🃏 Flashcard
結局
kekkyoku
Tap to reveal usage
after all; eventually; in the end
N3
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N3
Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast
Reading
kekkyoku
Post ID
50852
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
after all; eventually; in the end
📖 How to use it
Expresses that something turns out a certain way after considering everything or after a process.
Attaches to
Used as a standalone adverb, often at the beginning of a sentence or clause. No conjugation needed.
結局 is an adverb that means 'after all', 'eventually', or 'in the end'. It emphasizes the final result after some deliberation, confusion, or a series of events. You can use it when you want to say that despite various possibilities or efforts, the outcome is what it is. It often carries a nuance of resignation or realization.
You can place 結局 at the start of a sentence, or before the verb, similar to other adverbs. In conversation, it is very common to use it when giving a conclusion after a long explanation or when you change your mind after considering other options.
いろいろ考えたけど、結局行かないことにした。
Iroiro kangaeta kedo, kekkyoku ikanai koto ni shita.
I thought about it a lot, but in the end I decided not to go.
雨が降ると思ったが、結局晴れた。
Ame ga furu to omotta ga, kekkyoku hareta.
I thought it would rain, but it turned out sunny after all.
彼は何度も失敗したが、結局成功した。
Kare wa nando mo shippai shita ga, kekkyoku seikou shita.
He failed many times, but he succeeded in the end.
Not とうとう (tou tou)
結局 focuses on the final outcome after considering alternatives, while とうとう emphasizes that something happened after a long time or after much waiting. 結局 can also be used in a more logical conclusion ('after all'), whereas とうとう is more about time passing.
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Neutral and used in both spoken and written Japanese, though extremely common in casual conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
結局
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat 結局 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 結局. 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 N3 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern 結局 mean?
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After all; eventually; in the end
What JLPT level is 結局?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use 結局 in a sentence?
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Attach 結局 (kekkyoku) 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 結局 formal or casual Japanese?
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結局 is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember 結局 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.