Level 5 · Advanced
Finally: 总算 vs 终于
总算 / 终于 + Verb Phrase · Traditional: 總算 / 終於 + Verb Phrase
Both mean "finally," but 总算 (zǒngsuàn) comes with a sigh of relief — the wait was long and you're glad it's over: 等了一个小时，车总算来了 "after an hour, the bus finally showed up (phew)."
终于 (zhōngyú) is more neutral and works in writing and speech alike: 他终于找到了工作 "he finally found a job." The practical difference: 总算 only fits outcomes you welcome. A long-dreaded ending takes 终于 or 最后, never 总算.
Examples
等了一个小时，车总算来了。
等了一個小時，車總算來了。
děng le yī ge xiǎo shí chē zǒng suàn lái le
After an hour of waiting, the bus finally came.
考试总算结束了。
考試總算結束了。
kǎo shì zǒng suàn jié shù le
The exams are finally over — what a relief.
他找了三个月，终于找到了工作。
他找了三個月，終於找到了工作。
tā zhǎo le sān gè yuè zhōng yú zhǎo dào le gōng zuò
After three months of searching, he finally found a job.
我们终于见面了！
我們終於見面了！
wǒ men zhōng yú jiàn miàn le
We finally meet!
Common mistakes
✗ 他们等了三年，总算还是分手了。
✓ 他们等了三年，最后还是分手了。
总算 celebrates a welcome outcome. For an unwelcome ending, use 最后 or 终于.
Related grammar points
Practice this pattern in graded stories like Moving Day (Part 6) inside the Literate Chinese app.
