Posted inN3 Grammar

結局 (けっきょく): Understanding “After All” and “In the End”

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Ultimately, after all, in the end, eventually

🎯 Primary Function

Used to indicate the final outcome or result of a process, decision, or series of events, often implying that the result was contrary to initial expectations or efforts.

📋 Grammar Structure

結局 + Sentence (often describing the final result)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in formal contexts to state a final result, but is more common in less rigid settings.

😊 Informal Situations

Very common in informal conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Used in writing, especially in essays, narratives, or reports to summarize a conclusion.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Frequently used in spoken Japanese to wrap up a story or explain a situation’s final state.

💡 Common Applications

Summarizing the outcome of a difficult decision or long process.
After much deliberation or many steps, this was the final result.
Example: 色々考えたが、結局、引っ越しはやめることにした。 (I thought about various things, but in the end, I decided to stop the moving plan.)
Describing the final state of a situation that changed over time.
Indicating how things ended up after things unfolded.
Example: 彼は最初反対していたが、結局、私の意見に賛成してくれた。 (He was against it at first, but eventually, he agreed with my opinion.)
Reporting a result contrary to expectations.
Highlighting that the final outcome was not what was planned or hoped for.
Example: 一生懸命練習したが、結局、試合には負けてしまった。 (I practiced very hard, but after all, I lost the game.)
📊
Frequency
Commonly used in everyday Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
N3
Example Sentences
雨が降ると思ったけど、結局、降らなかったね。
I thought it would rain, but in the end, it didn’t, did it?
何時間も話し合ったけど、結局、何も決まらなかった。
We talked for hours, but ultimately, nothing was decided.
彼は医者になるために勉強していたが、結局、音楽の道を選んだ。
He was studying to become a doctor, but after all, he chose the path of music.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Often implies a contrast.
結局 is frequently used when the final result is different from the initial plan, expectation, or effort.
Example: ダイエットを始めたのに、結局、また太ってしまった。 (Even though I started a diet, in the end, I gained weight again.) – Implies the effort didn’t lead to the desired outcome.
Focuses on the final state.
It summarizes a process or series of events and highlights only the conclusion.
Example: 彼は色々な仕事を転々としたが、結局、教師になった。 (He drifted between various jobs, but eventually, he became a teacher.) – Summarizes his job history and states the final profession.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it like a simple “finally” without a process leading to the end.
✅ Use とうとう or ついに for a simple “finally” that marks the completion of something long-awaited or difficult.
結局 emphasizes the result after a series of events or considerations, often with a twist, whereas とうとう/ついに simply marks the point of completion or arrival.
❌ undefined
✅ undefined
undefined

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral. Can be used in both polite and casual contexts.
Social Situations: Appropriate for daily conversation, reporting results, explaining outcomes.
Regional Variations: Usage is standard across Japan.

🔍 Subtle Differences

結局 vs. とうとう (toutou)
結局 emphasizes the final outcome after a process/consideration, often with an unexpected twist. とうとう emphasizes reaching a desired or inevitable state after a long period or difficulty.
When to use: Use 結局 for final results after deliberation or events, especially if surprising. Use とうとう when something finally happened (e.g., a baby finally walked, it finally stopped raining).
結局 vs. ついに (tsuini)
Similar to とうとう, ついに implies reaching a conclusion or goal after effort or waiting. It can have a nuance of relief or excitement.
When to use: Use 結局 for general final outcomes. Use ついに for results that were anticipated or desired after a struggle (e.g., ついにN1に合格した！ “I finally passed N1!”).
結局 vs. 結局のところ (kekkyoku no tokoro)
結局のところ is a slightly more formal or emphatic way to say “when all is said and done” or “the bottom line is.” It puts more emphasis on the conclusion of an argument or analysis.
When to use: Use 結局 for simple statements of outcome. Use 結局のところ when summarizing the core point or conclusion of a complex matter or discussion.

📝 Conjugation Notes

結局 is an adverb, so it does not conjugate. It is followed directly by a sentence.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced ke-kkyo-ku. The double “k” is a geminate consonant, requiring a small pause before the second “k”.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 結 (けつ – to tie, conclude) and 局 (きょく – bureau, station, a part of a whole). 結局 suggests tying together all the parts/events to reach the final station/conclusion.

Practice Exercises
彼はラーメンが食べたかったが、お金がなかったので、＿＿＿家でうどんを作って食べた。
とうとう
ついに
結局
まず
会議で色々意見が出たが、＿＿＿彼の提案が採用された。
とうとう
始めに
結局
例えば
15 Views
Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *