Meaning & usage
末に expresses the final result reached after a long period of thinking, discussion, hardship, or effort. It attaches to the past form of a verb as in 考えた末に, or to a noun with の as in 苦労の末に, with に often optional and no change in meaning. It is formal and weighty, so it suits important decisions after serious struggle, not small everyday choices.
Example sentences 6
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いろいろ悩んだ末、留学をやめた。
After worrying about it a lot, I gave up on studying abroad.
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長く話し合った末、別れることになった。
After talking it over for a long time, we ended up breaking up.
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何度も相談した末、兄は店を開いた。
After consulting many times, my older brother opened a shop.
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一年考えた末、仕事を変えることにした。
After thinking for a year, I decided to change jobs.
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長い苦労の末、夢がかなった。
After long hardship, my dream came true.
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彼は努力の末に大会で優勝した。
After great effort, he won the tournament.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 1 past exam question.
