JLPT N2 grammar
〜末（すえ）に — Meaning & Examples
After a long process, finally — neutral, can be positive. 失敗した末に成功した. Same shape as あげく but without the negative charge.
〜末（すえ）に — After a Long Process
〜末に = "after (a long process of) ... , finally." Same grammatical shape as あげく, but with the emotional colouring removed. 末に is neutral about the outcome — it can be positive, negative, or simply significant.
Formation: verb-た form + 末に, or noun + の + 末に
長い議論の末に、新しい方針が決まった。
= After lengthy discussion, a new policy was finally decided. (neutral/positive)
何度も失敗した末に、ついに成功した。
= After failing many times, I finally succeeded. (positive — impossible with あげく)
悩んだ末に、会社を辞めることにした。
= After much soul-searching, I decided to quit the company. (a weighty, effortful decision)
あげく vs 末に — the exam's favourite pair:
| あげく | 末に | |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Almost always bad/ironic | Neutral — can be good |
| Feeling | Exasperation, "what a waste" | Weight, "after real effort" |
| Can follow success? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
A single sentence pair shows the whole contrast:
悩んだあげく、決められなかった。 = After agonising, I still couldn't decide. (wasted effort)
悩んだ末に、決めた。 = After agonising, I made my decision. (effort paid off)
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜末（すえ）に. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Why is 頑張ったあげく、合格した unnatural?
- あげく needs a noun before it
- あげく almost never precedes a good outcome
- 合格する cannot take あげく
- It needs the て form
Show answer
Answer: あげく almost never precedes a good outcome
あげく carries an exasperated, usually negative charge. For a positive result after effort, use 末に: 頑張った末に、合格した。
2. 何度も失敗した末に、ついに成功した means?
- I succeeded without failing
- After failing many times, I gave up
- After failing many times, I finally succeeded
- I failed after succeeding
Show answer
Answer: After failing many times, I finally succeeded
〜末に is neutral about outcome and can be positive — unlike あげく, which cannot describe a success like this.
3. Which best fits: a long, wasted process ending in an ironic, disappointing result?
- 〜末に
- 〜おかげで
- 〜あげく（に）
- 〜てはじめて
Show answer
Answer: 〜あげく（に）
あげく is specifically for exasperating, wasted-effort outcomes — the strongest negative charge of this whole family.
Practise 〜末（すえ）に in the free app
This point is part of the “😤 Cause, Blame & Outcome — あげく・末に・ばかりに・せいで” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N2 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N2 grammar points
From the same lesson: 😤 Cause, Blame & Outcome — あげく・末に・ばかりに・せいで
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜末（すえ）に mean?
After a long process, finally — neutral, can be positive. 失敗した末に成功した. Same shape as あげく but without the negative charge.
Is 〜末（すえ）に on the JLPT N2 test?
〜末（すえ）に is taught in the JLPT N2 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “😤 Cause, Blame & Outcome — あげく・末に・ばかりに・せいで”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜末（すえ）に?
Open the “😤 Cause, Blame & Outcome — あげく・末に・ばかりに・せいで” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N2 mock exams, with no ads.