〜あげく(に) (ageku ni)

JLPT N2 After all that trouble, in the end … — a drawn-out, usually negative result.

Meaning

“After (a long, troubled process), finally ….” Emphasizes a negative outcome that came after much effort or hesitation.

Formation

Verb (た-form) + あげく

Noun + の + あげく

Examples

さんざん迷ったあげく、旅行は中止することにした。

Sanzan mayotta ageku, ryokō wa chūshi suru koto ni shita. — After agonizing over it, I decided to cancel the trip in the end.

長時間話し合ったあげく、結論は出なかった。

Chōjikan hanashiatta ageku, ketsuron wa denakatta. — After discussing for hours, in the end no conclusion was reached.

さんざん文句を言ったあげくに、帰ってしまった。

Sanzan monku o itta ageku ni, kaette shimatta. — After complaining endlessly, he just left.

How it works

It stresses a long, often painful or wasteful process, then a disappointing conclusion. Often paired with さんざん or 長時間.

Use 〜末(に) for a similar “after much ~” that allows neutral or positive results.

Compared with similar expressions

• 〜あげく — “after all that,” long process → negative end

• 〜末(に) — “after much ~,” process → result (can be neutral/positive)

• 〜た結果 — “as a result of,” neutral cause-and-effect

Common mistakes

• Use the た-form: 悩んだあげく (not 悩むあげく).

• Avoid it for happy endings — use 〜末に or 〜た結果 instead.

Related grammar

• 〜末に — after much ~

• 〜た結果 — as a result of ~

• とうとう / ついに — finally