It expresses relief that something finally happened after a long or difficult wait.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Indicates a result achieved after a long wait or difficulty.
- Conveys a sense of relief or satisfaction.
- Commonly used to describe the end of a tedious process.
1) 概述：总算表示经过长时间的努力、等待或周折，结果终于达到了预期的目标。它不仅描述客观事实，更多地表达了说话人对结果的满意感或解脱感。
2) 用法模式：总算通常位于主语之后，谓语动词之前。例如：他总算把作业写完了。在口语中，它也可以单独使用，表示对现状的评价。
3) 常见语境：常用于工作完成、困难克服、疾病痊愈或长期等待后的相聚等场景。比如“雨总算停了”、“忙了一整天，总算可以休息了”。
4) 近义词比较：与“终于”相比，“总算”更侧重于对比之前的困难或漫长，带有一种“虽然过程不易，但结果还行”的心理暗示；而“终于”更侧重于强调时间上的最终结果，感情色彩相对中性。
Examples
做了三个小时的手术，病人总算脱离了危险。
everydayAfter a three-hour surgery, the patient is finally out of danger.
经过多轮谈判，双方总算达成了一致。
formalAfter several rounds of negotiations, both sides finally reached an agreement.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
总算没白忙
It wasn't all in vain.
总算熬出头了
Finally made it through the hard times.
Often Confused With
Finally focuses on the end of a long wait, while 总算 emphasizes the relief after overcoming difficulty.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
It is a versatile adverb suitable for both formal and informal registers. It adds a subjective emotional layer of relief to the sentence. It should not be used for events that happened quickly or easily.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it for simple, neutral sequences. Another mistake is placing it incorrectly after the verb. Remember it must precede the action.
Tips
Focus on the feeling of relief
Use '总算' when you want to highlight that you are relieved or satisfied that a difficult task is finally done.
Avoid using for neutral facts
Do not use '总算' for simple, expected events like 'The sun rises', as it implies a struggle occurred.
The cultural weight of perseverance
This word reflects the Chinese cultural value of perseverance and the appreciation of hard-won success.
Word Origin
Derived from the combination of '总' (summing up) and '算' (counting), implying the final tally of efforts has reached a conclusion.
Cultural Context
It reflects the cultural emphasis on endurance. In Chinese society, overcoming hardship through patience is highly valued, making this word very common in daily life.
Memory Tip
Think of '总' (total/always) + '算' (calculate/end up). It means after calculating all the efforts, it finally ends up done.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions两者都表示最终结果，但“总算”侧重于经历困难后的如释重负感，“终于”则侧重于强调时间上的最终达成，语气更客观。
通常用于正面或预期的结果。如果用于负面，通常带有反讽意味，表示“好歹还是发生了”。
一般放在主语后、动词前。在强调时，有时也可以放在句首，但较少见。
Test Yourself
忙了一整天，他___把这件棘手的事情处理好了。
强调经历了一整天的忙碌后，终于解决问题的如释重负感。
Score: /1
Summary
It expresses relief that something finally happened after a long or difficult wait.
- Indicates a result achieved after a long wait or difficulty.
- Conveys a sense of relief or satisfaction.
- Commonly used to describe the end of a tedious process.
Focus on the feeling of relief
Use '总算' when you want to highlight that you are relieved or satisfied that a difficult task is finally done.
Avoid using for neutral facts
Do not use '总算' for simple, expected events like 'The sun rises', as it implies a struggle occurred.
The cultural weight of perseverance
This word reflects the Chinese cultural value of perseverance and the appreciation of hard-won success.
Examples
2 of 2做了三个小时的手术，病人总算脱离了危险。
After a three-hour surgery, the patient is finally out of danger.
经过多轮谈判，双方总算达成了一致。
After several rounds of negotiations, both sides finally reached an agreement.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
