Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In the end, finally, ultimately: Used to indicate the final result or conclusion after a process, discussion, or series of events. It often carries a nuance of summarizing or revealing an outcome that was perhaps inevitable or arrived at after some deliberation.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Thảo luận mãi, rút cục vẫn không thông. (They discussed for a long time, but in the end, they still didn't reach an agreement.)
  • Anh ấy hứa nhiều điều, nhưng rút cục chẳng làm được gì. (He promised many things, but ultimately, he didn't accomplish anything.)
  • Rút cục thì cô ấy đã quyết định ở lại. (In the end, she decided to stay.)

Advanced Usage

• "Rút cục lại": This is a slightly more emphatic or conversational variant with the same meaning.
  • Rút cục lại, mọi chuyện cũng đã ổn thỏa. (When all is said and done, everything has been settled.)
• Used to introduce a summarizing statement or the main point after presenting details.
  • Nói tóm lại, rút cục vấn đề là ở chỗ thiếu kinh phí. (In short, ultimately the problem lies in the lack of funding.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rốt cuộc (adverb): A direct synonym, also meaning "in the end," "finally." The usage is nearly identical.
  • Rốt cuộc anh ta cũng đến. (He finally arrived.)
• Cuối cùng (adverb): Means "finally" or "at last," often used in a more neutral temporal sequence, while "rút cục" can imply a concluding judgment.
• Kết cục (noun): Means "ending," "outcome," or "conclusion." It is a noun form referring to the final result itself.
  • Kết cục của bộ phim thật bất ngờ. (The ending of the movie was really surprising.)

Synonyms

• Sau cùng: In the end, lastly.
• Cuối cùng thì: Finally, in the final analysis.
• Tóm lại: In summary, in short.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Đầu voi đuôi chuột: This idiom describes something that starts impressively but ends poorly. "Rút cục" could be used to comment on such a disappointing conclusion.
  • Dự án khởi đầu hoành tráng, nhưng rút cục lại đầu voi đuôi chuột. (The project started grandly, but in the end, it was a big start and a tiny finish.)
• Chung quy: (Literally: when all is gathered/classified) Means "when all is said and done," "in the final analysis." It is very close in meaning and usage to "rút cục."
  • Chung quy lại, lỗi là tại tôi. (In the final analysis, the fault is mine.)

1. In the end, at last
   • Thảo luận mãi, rút cục vẫn không thông.
     They had a lengthy discussion, but in the end they were not convinced