JLPT N3・N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “やっと” “ついに” and “とうとう”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “やっと” “ついに” and “とうとう”
2. やっと
3. ついに
4. とうとう
5. Let’s Compare
6. Summary
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “やっと,” “ついに,” and “とうとう”?
A:“やっと,” “ついに,” and “とうとう” are all adverbs that describe something happening after a long time or process. However, each has a different nuance and usage.
Understanding these differences helps you choose the most natural expression based on your feelings or the situation.
やっと (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
Used when something finally happens or a hoped-for result is achieved after a long time or much effort.
[Common sentence endings]
できた (was able to do it), 終わった (finished) , 来た (came), 叶った (came true), etc.
[Examples]
やっとレポートを書き終えました。
I finally finished writing the report.
ずっと探していた本をやっと見つけたよ！
I finally found the book I had been looking for all this time!
遅れていた電車がやっと来ました。
The delayed train finally arrived.
この1年間、毎日8時間勉強して、やっとN1に受かりました。
I studied 8 hours a day for the past year, and I finally passed the N1.
It is basically used for positive outcomes and conveys the speaker’s feelings of accomplishment, relief, or joy after something long-awaited is finally realized.
[Examples]
大きなプロジェクトがやっと終わりそうです。
It looks like the big project is finally coming to an end.
やっと夢が叶いそうだ！
My dream is finally about to come true!
〜ついに (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
It indicates that, after a long period of time or process, an important result or event finally occurs.
[Examples]
ついに新製品の発売が決まりました。
The launch of the new product was finally decided.
彼はついに社長になりました。
He finally became the company president.
ついに戦争が始まってしまいました。
War has finally broken out.
“ついに” differs from “やっと” in that it can be used for both positive and negative outcomes.
It is often used when the event or result is significant and is reached after a long period of time.
[Examples]
(Positive outcomes)
長い時間がかかりましたが、ついにプロジェクトが始動することになりました。
It took a long time, but the project finally got underway.
何度もAチームに負け続けていましたが、ついに勝つことができました。
Although we kept losing to Team A many times, we finally managed to win.
(Negative outcomes)
長引く経営不振の末、ついに会社は倒産してしまいました。
After prolonged financial difficulties, the company finally went bankrupt.
長年放置されていた古城が、ついに崩れ始めました。
The old castle, which had been neglected for many years, finally began to collapse.
Furthermore, “ついに” can also be used in negative sentences.
In such cases, it emphasizes disappointing outcomes, such as something not being realized or achieved.
[Examples]
母は長い闘病の末、ついに帰ってくることはありませんでした。
After a long battle with illness, my mother never came back in the end.
作者が亡くなってしまい、この作品はついに完成することはありませんでした。
The author passed away, and this work was never completed in the end.
とうとう (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
① Something that was anticipated finally becomes reality
② Something that one tried to avoid ends up happening after all
[Examples]
とうとう大規模なリストラが始まったみたいですね。(①)
It looks like a large-scale restructuring has finally begun.
最近、様子がおかしいと思っていたが、とうとうパソコンが壊れてしまったよ。(①)
I had been feeling something was off recently, and sure enough, my computer finally broke down.
とうとうお別れの日が来てしまいました。（②）
The day of our farewell has finally come.
あと数時間は降らないと思っていたのに、とうとう雨が降り出しました。（②）
I thought it wouldn’t rain for a few more hours, but in the end, it finally started raining.
This expression is often used for undesirable outcomes or unfortunate events.
Although the nuance may vary depending on the context, it generally conveys that “the result couldn’t be avoided despite efforts to prevent it,” reflecting the speaker’s sense of resignation or disappointment.
[Examples]
スマホのバッテリーがどんどん減って、とうとう電源が切れてしまいました。（①）
The smartphone battery kept draining, and eventually, it finally died.
二人はけんかばかりしていたが、とうとう離婚することになりました。（②）
The two of them kept arguing, and in the end, they finally ended up getting divorced.
Let’s Compare
What are the nuance differences depending on which expression is used in the following sentences?
[Example ①]
やっと／ついに／とうとう 電車が来た。
◯ やっと電車が来た。
⇒ This is the most natural expression. It conveys joy or relief at something long-awaited finally happening — in this case, the long wait for the train is over.
× ついに電車が来た。
⇒ This implies there was a long and important process leading up to the result, which doesn’t suit a routine event like a train arriving. Therefore, it sounds unnatural.
× とうとう電車が来た。
⇒ “とうとう” often implies an unavoidable outcome or something significant. Since a train arriving is expected and not a dramatic or unavoidable result, it doesn’t fit the context.
[Example ②]
やっと／ついに／とうとう 病気が悪化した。
× やっと病気が悪化した。
⇒ “やっと” is mostly used for positive outcomes, so it is inappropriate here since the worsening of illness is negative.
◯ ついに病気が悪化した。
⇒ This suits a situation where a condition had been relatively stable but gradually worsened over time. It emphasizes the process leading to a serious change.
◯ とうとう病気が悪化した。
⇒ This implies that the speaker had anticipated the worsening of the illness, and now it has finally happened. It reflects a feeling of resignation or disappointment.
Summary
| Meaning | Result | Key Point | |
|---|---|---|---|
| やっと | Something finally happens after a long time or much effort | Positive | Speaker feels relief or joy; emphasizes effort or wait before the result |
| ついに | A significant result finally comes after a long process | Positive or Negative | Focuses on the outcome; often used for major or emotional events |
| とうとう | ① Something expected eventually happens ② An unavoidable event actually occurs | Negative | Speaker expresses resignation, disappointment, or other negative emotions |
Similer Articles
- JLPT N4・N5 Vocabulary – Difference between the counter “回” and “度”
- JLPT N1・N3 Grammar – The difference between “〜さえ” and “〜すら”
- JLPT N3・N4 Vocabulary – The difference between “特に” and “別に”
- JLPT N3 Grammar – The difference between “〜ごと” and “〜おき”
- JLPT N1・N3 Vocabulary – The difference between “さっぱり” and “あっさり”
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