GRAMMAR
〜あげく
in the end
after all (bad result)
Explanation
NOTE
〜あげく means in the end or after a long process of doing X — and the result is usually negative or disappointing.
長く悩んだあげく、会社を辞めた。
After agonizing for a long time, I quit the company.
The speaker emphasizes the long, difficult process that led to the (often regrettable) outcome.
NOTE
The result clause typically describes a bad or unfortunate outcome that comes after a drawn-out effort, struggle, or hesitation.
NOTE
With verbs, attach あげく directly to the past (た) form (悩んだ → 悩んだあげく). Sometimes written as 揚げ句 in kanji.
STRUCTURE
Vた
あげく何時間も議論したあげく、結論が出なかった。
Nan jikan mo giron shita ageku, ketsuron ga denakatta.
After debating for hours, no conclusion came out.
さんざん迷ったあげく、何も買わなかった。
Sanzan mayotta ageku, nani mo kawanakatta.
After hesitating a great deal, I didn't buy anything.
道に迷ったあげく、遅刻してしまった。
Michi ni mayotta ageku, chikoku shite shimatta.
After getting lost, I ended up being late.
NOTE
With nouns (typically suru-nouns describing a long process), attach のあげく to the noun (苦労 → 苦労のあげく).
STRUCTURE
N辞
のあげく長い苦労のあげく、計画は失敗に終わった。
Nagai kurou no ageku, keikaku wa shippai ni owatta.
After long hardship, the plan ended in failure.
激しい口論のあげく、彼は家を出て行った。
Hageshii kouron no ageku, kare wa ie o dete itta.
After a heated quarrel, he left the house.
長年の議論のあげく、計画は中止になった。
Naganen no giron no ageku, keikaku wa chuushi ni natta.
After years of debate, the plan was cancelled.
Practice exercises
1
約束したからには、散々迷った挙句、結局破ってしまった。
Now that I've made a promise, after much hesitation, I ended up breaking it.
Answer
挙句
2
様々な困難を乗り越えた挙句、計画は中止された。
After overcoming various difficulties, the plan was cancelled.
Answer
挙句
3
膨大な時間と費用をかけた挙句、結局成果は得られなかった。
After spending enormous time and money, in the end, no results were obtained.
Answer
挙句
4
彼のことだから、考えた挙句、何もできなかった。
Knowing him, after much thought, he couldn't do anything.
Answer
挙句
5
急いだばかりに、転んだ挙句、怪我をしてしまった。
Simply because I hurried, after falling, I ended up getting injured.
Answer
挙句