Translation guide
Expresses that something long-awaited or long-expected has finally happened. Japanese uses several adverbs and phrases depending on the nuance: relief, culmination, or after much effort.
The speaker feels relief or happiness that something expected has finally occurred.
The most common and natural way to say 'at last' when expressing relief or that something took a long time. Used in casual and formal speech.
Similar to やっと but slightly more formal and often used in writing or polite speech. Emphasizes that something was achieved after effort or a long process.
ようやく春が来た。
Spring has come at last.
ようやく仕事が見つかった。
I finally found a job.
Often used for dramatic or momentous events, like a long-awaited moment finally arriving. Can carry a sense of culmination.
ついにその日が来た。
At last, that day has come.
ついに夢が叶った。
My dream has finally come true.
Emphasizes that something has been achieved after sustained effort, not just waiting.
Implies that something has finally happened after a long time or much effort, often with a sense of inevitability. Common in both speech and writing.
とうとう完成した。
It's finally completed.
彼はとうとう諦めた。
He finally gave up.
Used when a long-anticipated moment is about to happen, often with excitement. Can also mean 'more and more' or 'at the critical moment'.
Indicates that something happens as the final event in a sequence.
Literally 'at the end', used to mark the final step or moment. Not always a direct translation of 'at last', but fits when emphasizing finality.
最後に彼が到着した。
At last, he arrived (as the final person).
Emphasizes that something was achieved with great difficulty. 'At long last' or 'barely managed to'.
やっとのことで終電に間に合った。
At last, I barely caught the last train.
やっと is the most colloquial and expresses relief. ようやく is more formal and emphasizes gradual progress. ついに is dramatic, often for positive or negative climaxes. とうとう implies inevitability and is neutral in register.
やっと雨が止んだ。
The rain finally stopped (relief).
ようやく雨が止んだ。
The rain finally stopped (after a long time).
ついに雨が止んだ。
At last, the rain stopped (dramatic).
とうとう雨が止んだ。
The rain finally stopped (inevitably).
いよいよ明日出発だ。
At last, we leave tomorrow.
いよいよ本番だ。
It's finally showtime.