JLPT N2 Grammar – Difference between “〜あげく” and “〜末に”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜あげく” and “〜末に“
2. 〜あげく
3. 〜末に
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: Is there a difference between “〜あげく” and “〜末に“?
“〜あげく” and “〜末に” both express what happened after various events and what the result or outcome was.
Both are often to depict the result or outcome following various events, with the background often emphasizing a sense of difficulty or struggle.
Words like “いろいろ” (various), “さんざん” (to have a hard time), or “長い時間” (a long time) are commonly used in conjunction to highlight this background.
The key difference lies in whether the result or outcome is positive or negative.
〜あげく (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
After trying various things, ultimately…
[Rules]
[V] Verb た form ＋あげく
するVerbーする＋のあげく
[Examples]
彼は１時間も私を待たせたあげく、今日は行けないと言い出しました。
After making me wait for an hour, he finally said he couldn’t come today.
散々迷ったあげく、結局何も買いませんでした。
After much deliberation, I ended up not buying anything.
喧嘩のあげく、息子は家出をしました。
After the argument, my son ran away from home.
〜末に (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
After trying various things, ultimately…
[Rules]
[V] Verb た form ＋末に
するVerbーする＋の末に
* “に” can be omitted in some cases
[Examples]
いろいろ考えた末に、転職することにしました。
After considering various options, I decided to change jobs.
2年勉強した末に、やっとJLPT N1に合格できました。
After studying for two years, I finally passed the JLPT N1.
さんざん議論した末、ついにA社と合意しました。
After much debate, we finally reached an agreement with Company A.
Let’s Compare
[Outcome/Result 1]
“〜あげく” is used when an unfavorable outcome or result occurs, or when even worse things happen.
[Examples]
お母さんとけんかしたあげく、晩ごはんも作ってくれませんでした。
After arguing with my mom, she didn’t even make dinner.
ケータイが壊れたあげく、その修理代に5万円もかかってしまいました。
After my phone broke, it ended up costing 50,000 yen to repair it.
色々つぎの企画を考えたあげく、企画はしないことになりました。
After considering various plans, we decided not to go through with any of them.
These are all unfavorable events, so we use “〜あげく“.
Be careful not to use “〜あげく” when a positive outcome occurs.
[Example]
× たくさん勉強をしたあげく、弁護士になれました。After studying hard, I became a lawyer.
[Outcome/Result 2]
On the contrary, when a positive outcome occurs, we use ”〜末に”.
[Examples]
たくさん勉強をした末に、弁護士になれた。
After studying hard, I became a lawyer.
努力の末に、弟は東京の美術大学に受かった。
After much effort, my younger brother got into the University of the Arts in Tokyo.
[Outcome/Result 3]
In cases where the outcome is unfavorable for the speaker but still acceptable, ”〜末に” can also be used. In such instances, either “〜あげく” or ”〜末に” is acceptable, but what matters is whether the speaker found the outcome ‘unpleasant’ or ‘acceptable’.
[Example 1]
夫とさんざん話し合ったあげく離婚することになった。
After much discussion with my husband, we decided to divorce.
⇒ The outcome of “divorce” is depicted as something negative for the speaker.
夫とさんざん話し合った末に離婚することになった。
After a lengthy discussion with my husband, we ended up getting divorced.
⇒ It signifies that the speaker is content with the outcome of “divorce.”
[Example 2]
いろいろ考えたあげく、転職することにしました。
After considering various options, I ended up changing jobs.
⇒ The result of “changing jobs” is depicted as something negative for the speaker.
いろいろ考えた末に、転職することにしました。
After considering various options, I decided to change jobs.
⇒ It expresses that the speaker is satisfied or agrees with the result of “changing jobs.”
Summary
- When it takes a long time or has been difficult, and the outcome is negative, we use “〜あげく“.
- When it takes a long time or has been difficult, and the outcome is positive, we use “〜末に“.
- “〜末に” can also be used when the speaker is content despite a negative result.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 末に
父との話し合いの末に留学を許してもらいました。
After discussions with my father, I got permission to study abroad.
*Because the conversation with the father led to a positive outcome, “末に” is appropriate.
A. あげく
今日は財布を落としたあげく定期券も落としてしまいました。
Today, I ended up losing both my wallet and my commuter pass after.
*Since further negative events followed, “あげく” is the right choice.
A. 末に
色々な会社へ書類を送った末に、1つの会社が返事をくれました。
After sending documents to various companies, one of them finally replied.
*As the speaker perceives getting a reply from one company as positive, “末に” is suitable.
A. あげく
自転車が壊れたあげく駅まで30分も歩くことになりました。
My bike broke down, so I ended up having to walk 30 minutes to the station.
*The fact that the bicycle breaking resulted in the negative outcome of having to walk to the station indicates “あげく” is correct.
