Vietnamese 'rốt cuộc' Usage (after all / finally / result)
'rốt cuộc' expresses the final result after a process, often with a tone of 'after all' or 'finally'.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'rốt cuộc' expresses the final result after a process, often with a tone of 'after all' or 'finally'.
English meanings
- after all
- in the end
- the result
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Rốt cuộc, anh ấy vẫn không đến.
After all, he still did not come.
2
Rốt cuộc bạn muốn nói gì?
What do you want to say after all?
How to use it
'rốt cuộc' carries more emotional or emphatic tone than 'cuối cùng', often implying surprise, anticipation, or finally knowing the outcome. It can be used in statements or questions.
- Often carries emotional or emphatic tone, not just neutral finality.
- Can be used in questions to mean 'after all'.
- Formal summaries may use 'cuối cùng' or 'kết quả là' instead.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'after all' or 'in the end' can be used in questions or statements to reveal final outcomes, similar to 'rốt cuộc'.
Common mistakes
Rốt cuộc, tôi đánh răng rồi đi ngủ.
Cuối cùng, tôi đánh răng rồi đi ngủ.
For ordinary time sequence, 'cuối cùng' is more natural.
Bạn muốn nói gì rốt cuộc?
Rốt cuộc bạn muốn nói gì?
In questions, 'rốt cuộc' is usually placed at the beginning.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'After all, he still did not come'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence means 'After all, he still did not come'?
- Rốt cuộc, anh ấy vẫn không đến.
- Anh ấy để mà không đến.
- Anh ấy không đến nhằm mục đích.
Answer: Rốt cuộc, anh ấy vẫn không đến.
Explanation: 'rốt cuộc' expresses final revelation or unexpected result.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____, anh ấy vẫn không đến.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____, anh ấy vẫn không đến.
Answer: Rốt cuộc, anh ấy vẫn không đến.
Explanation: Often carries emotional or emphatic tone.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "After all, he still did not come." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "After all, he still did not come." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Rốt cuộc, anh ấy vẫn không đến.
Explanation: Use rốt cuộc in the same structure as the example.
True or false
True or False: Rốt cuộc, tôi đánh răng rồi đi ngủ.
Show answer
True or false
True or False: Rốt cuộc, tôi đánh răng rồi đi ngủ.
Answer: False
Explanation: For ordinary time sequence, 'cuối cùng' is more natural.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Bạn muốn nói gì rốt cuộc?
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Correction
Correct this sentence: Bạn muốn nói gì rốt cuộc?
Answer: Rốt cuộc bạn muốn nói gì?
Explanation: In questions, 'rốt cuộc' is usually placed at the beginning.