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In the end (negative result)
Definition
The grammar pattern 'V-た形 / N-の + あげく（に）' is used to indicate that after a long or troublesome process, the final result was bad or disappointing. It carries a nuance of 'all that trouble for nothing'. This pattern is often used to express regret or disappointment at the outcome of a situation. For example, if someone spent a lot of time and effort on a project, but it ultimately failed, they might say 'V-た形 / N-の + あげく（に）' to express their disappointment.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ta-form of the verb | N-の + あげく（に） | 歩いた + の + あげく（に） |
| Ta-form of the verb | V-た形 + の + あげく（に） | 歩いた + の + あげく（に） |
| Noun in the genitive form | N-の + あげく（に） | 元の場所の + あげく（に） |
Examples
道に迷って歩き回ったあと、結局元の場所に戻ってしまった。
Michi ni mayotte arukitara, muketsu no basho ni modotte shimatta.
In the end, I ended up back at the starting point after getting lost in the streets.
道に迷って (got lost in the streets), 歩き回った (walked around), 結局 (in the end), 元の場所に戻ってしまった (ended up back at the starting point)
さんざん文句を言ったあと、彼は仕事を辞めた。
Sanzen monku o itta ato, kare wa shigoto o yameru made shimatta.
In the end, he quit his job after complaining a lot.
さんざん (a lot), 文句を言った (complained), あと (in the end), 彼は (he), 仕事を辞めた (quit his job)
多額の借金をしたあと、会社を倒産させてしまった。
Taka no kakeru oita ato, kaisha o tausansase te shimatta.
In the end, the company went bankrupt after taking on a large amount of debt.
多額の (a large amount of), 借金をした (took on debt), あと (in the end), 会社を倒産させてしまった (went bankrupt)
Context
This pattern is used to express regret or disappointment at the outcome of a situation. It is often used in situations where a lot of time, effort, or resources were invested, but the result was not what was expected. It is a more formal pattern and is often used in writing or in formal speech.
Watch out
This pattern is used to express regret or disappointment, so it is not suitable for positive results. If you want to express a positive outcome, use 'sue ni' instead.
The ta-form of the verb is used to indicate the past tense, so it is not suitable to use the dictionary form instead. Use the ta-form of the verb to express the past tense.
This pattern is used to express regret or disappointment at the outcome of a situation where a lot of time, effort, or resources were invested. If the action didn't take much time or effort, use a different pattern to express the outcome.
Strategy
Pay attention to the nuance of the pattern and use it correctly to express regret or disappointment. Make sure to use the ta-form of the verb and the genitive form of the noun. Practice using this pattern in different contexts to get a feel for how it is used.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V-た形 / N-の + あげく（に） used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
道に迷って歩き回ったあげく、結局元の場所に戻ってしまった。
Pattern used: あげく
The negative/disappointing result after a long effort requires 'ageku'.
さんざん文句を言ったあげくに、彼は仕事を辞めた。
Pattern used: あげくに
Complaining a lot followed by a drastic negative action fits 'ageku ni'.
多額の借金をしたあげく、会社を倒産させてしまった。
Pattern used: あげく
'Ageku' highlights the disastrous final outcome after the preceding struggle/actions.
Interactive
道に迷って歩き回った______、結局元の場所に戻ってしまった。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.