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〜末(に)

after (a long process), finally

Verb た-form + 末(に) · Noun + の + 末(に)

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末 means "end", and 末に describes the outcome reached after a long, difficult process: 長い話し合いの末、ようやく合意した, "after long discussions, we finally reached an agreement".

The first half stresses time and effort: thinking hard, struggling, fighting, researching. The outcome is usually a decision or an achievement, though it can be neutral.

It follows a た-form, or a noun with の: 苦労の末, "after much hardship". The に is optional.

Compare あげく, which is used when the long process ends badly, and 結果, which just states an outcome without stressing the struggle. On its own, 末 also means "the end of" a period: 月末, "the end of the month".

Examples

  • 長ながい話はなし合あいの末すえ、ようやく合意ごういした。

    After long discussions, we finally reached an agreement.

  • いろいろ考かんがえた末すえに、この大学だいがくに決きめた。

    After a lot of thought, I decided on this university.

  • 苦労くろうの末すえ、店みせを開ひらくことができた。

    After much hardship, I was able to open my own shop.

  • 激はげしい戦たたかいの末すえ、チームは優勝ゆうしょうした。

    After a fierce battle, the team won the championship.

  • 三年さんねんの研究けんきゅうの末すえ、新あたらしい薬くすりが完成かんせいした。

    After three years of research, the new medicine was completed.

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