JLPT N2 Grammar – The difference between “〜あげく” and “〜末に”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “〜あげく” and “〜末すえに“
2. 〜あげく
3. 〜末すえに
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments

Q: Is there a difference between “〜あげく” and “〜末すえに“?

A: Both expressions are used to show the final result after various things have happened.

They imply a background in which a long time has passed or many events have taken place.
For this reason, they are often used together with words such as “いろいろ,” (various) “さんざん,”(to have a hard time) or “長ながい時間じかん,”(a long time) and they carry a nuance of emphasizing the final outcome.

〜あげく (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
Indicates that an action or situation that continued for a long time ultimately resulted in an unfortunate or disappointing outcome

[Rule]　
[V] Verb たform + あげく
[N] Noun form of する verbs + あげく

[Examples]　
彼かれは１時間じかんも私わたしを待またせたあげく、今日きょうは行いけないと言いい出だしました。
After making me wait for an hour, he finally said he couldn’t come today.

散々さんざん迷まよったあげく、結局けっきょく何なにも買かいませんでした。
After much deliberation, I ended up not buying anything.

喧嘩けんかのあげく、息子むすこは家出いえでをしました。
After the argument, my son ran away from home.

〜末すえに (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
Indicates what the final outcome was after an action or situation continued for a long time

[Rule]
[V] Verb た form + 末すえ（に）
[N] Noun + の + 末すえ（に）
* “に” can be omitted in some cases

[Examples]　
いろいろ考かんがえた末すえに、転職てんしょくすることにしました。
After considering various options, I decided to change jobs.

2年ねん勉強べんきょうした末すえに、やっとJLPT N1に合格ごうかくできました。
After studying for two years, I finally passed the JLPT N1.

さんざん議論ぎろんした末すえ、ついにA社しゃと合意ごういしました。
After much debate, we finally reached an agreement with Company A.

Let’s Compare

[When the result is negative]

Use “〜あげく” when the outcome is negative from the speaker’s point of view, or when the situation becomes even worse.

[Examples]　
ケータイが壊こわれたあげく、その修理しゅうり代だいに5万まん円えん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.

さんざん待またされたあげく、「本日ほんじつの受付うけつけは終了しゅうりょうしました。」と言いわれました。
After being kept waiting for a long time, I was told, “Today’s reception has already closed.”

In all of these examples, the outcome is unfavorable, so “〜あげく” is used.
Be careful not to use “〜あげく” when a positive outcome occurs.

[Example]
× たくさん勉強べんきょうをしたあげく、弁護べんご士しになれました。
After studying hard, I became a lawyer.

[When the result is positive]

In contrast to “〜あげく,” use “〜末すえに” when the final outcome is positive.

[Examples]　
たくさん勉強べんきょうをした末すえに、弁護べんご士しになれました。
After studying hard, I became a lawyer. 　　

努力どりょくの末すえに、弟おとうとは東京とうきょうの美術びじゅつ大学だいがくに合格ごうかくしました。
After much effort, my younger brother got into the University of the Arts in Tokyo.

[When the result is negative but accepted]

Even if the outcome is negative from the speaker’s point of view, “〜末すえに” can be used when the speaker accepts or is satisfied with that result.

[Example①]　
夫おっととさんざん話はなし合あったあげく離婚りこんすることになりました。
After much discussion with my husband, we decided to divorce.
⇒ The outcome of “divorce” is depicted as something negative for the speaker.

夫おっととさんざん話はなし合あった末すえに離婚りこんすることになりました。
After a lengthy discussion with my husband, we ended up getting divorced.
⇒ It signifies that the speaker is content with the outcome of “divorce.”


[Example②]　
いろいろ考かんがえたあげく、転職てんしょく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.

いろいろ考かんがえた末すえに、転職てんしょく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.”

In such cases, both “〜あげく” and “〜末すえに” can be used grammatically.
However, the choice of expression depends on whether the speaker feels the result was “regrettable” or views it as a “well-considered and acceptable decision.”
The key point is not the event itself, but the speaker’s feelings and evaluation of the outcome.

Summary

[〜あげく]

• Used after a long period of time or many events.
• Indicates that the final outcome was negative or disappointing.
• Carries a nuance of regret, dissatisfaction, or an unexpectedly bad result.
• Often used together with words such as “いろいろ” or “さんざん.”
• Used when the speaker evaluates the result negatively.

[〜末すえに]

• Used after a long period of time or many events.
• Indicates the final outcome after a process.
• Often used for positive results or achievements that come from effort.
• Can also be used when the result is negative, as long as the speaker accepts it.
• The speaker’s evaluation and feelings determine the choice of expression.

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.

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