Focusing on the result: -(으)ㄴ 끝에

🔊

🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open

Korean Helper Widgets and type sentences like 오랜 협상 끝에 합의에 도달했다 to hear the pacing. In this grammar, the rhythm often feels like a story walking toward its finish line. 🏁

🌈 The Big Picture

• 분석한 결과 원인이 밝혀졌다. = As a result of the analysis, the cause was revealed. 📊

• 오랜 분석 끝에 원인을 밝혀냈다. = After long analysis, they finally uncovered the cause. 🔍

🎨 The Core 끝에 Family

1. V-(으)ㄴ 끝에 = after doing, at the end of doing

• 고민하다 = to agonize/think hard → 고민한 끝에 = after much thought

• 협상하다 = to negotiate → 협상한 끝에 = after negotiation

• 수소문하다 = to ask around/search by inquiry → 수소문한 끝에 = after asking around

• 검토하다 = to review → 검토한 끝에 = after reviewing

2. N 끝에 = at the end of / after a noun-based process

• 고생 끝에 = after hardship

• 논의 끝에 = after discussion

• 심사숙고 끝에 = after careful consideration

• 우여곡절 끝에 = after many twists and turns

• 수소문 끝에 = after asking around

3. Result verbs that naturally fit

• 합의에 도달하다 = to reach an agreement

• 결론을 내리다 = to draw a conclusion

• 원인을 밝혀내다 = to uncover the cause

• 성과를 거두다 = to achieve results

• 문제를 해결하다 = to solve a problem

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

1. Investigation → finding

• 경찰은 장기간의 수사 끝에 용의자의 행방을 알아냈다.
The police found out the suspect’s whereabouts after a long investigation. 🕵️
장기간 = long period, 수사 = investigation, 행방 = whereabouts, 알아내다 = to find out.

2. Debate → agreement

• 양측은 치열한 협상 끝에 임금 인상안에 합의했다.
Both sides agreed on the wage-increase proposal after intense negotiations. 🤝
양측 = both sides, 치열하다 = to be intense, 협상 = negotiation, 임금 인상안 = wage-increase proposal.

3. Reflection → decision

• 그는 오랜 심사숙고 끝에 직장을 옮기지 않기로 했다.
After long careful consideration, they decided not to change jobs. 🧠
심사숙고 = careful consideration, 직장 = workplace/job, 옮기다 = to move/change, -지 않기로 하다 = to decide not to do.

🧩 General Formation Rule

• Verb stem ending in a vowel + ㄴ 끝에
조사하다 → 조사한 끝에 = after investigating

• Verb stem ending in a consonant + 은 끝에
찾다 → 찾은 끝에 = after searching/finding

• ㄹ-stem: drop ㄹ + ㄴ 끝에
살다 → 산 끝에 = after living

• 논의 끝에 = after discussion

• 고생 끝에 = after hardship

• 우여곡절 끝에 = after many twists and turns

📚 Cross-check note

🪞 Synonym Alert

• -(으)ㄴ 끝에 — narrative/result-focused; after a meaningful process.

• -(으)ㄴ 결과 — analytical/report-like; as a result of doing.

• -고 나서 — simple sequence; after doing A, B happened.

• -는 과정에서 — during the process of doing.

• 결국 — eventually/in the end; adverb, not a connector.

• 마침내 — finally/at last; emphasizes the moment of achievement.

• 우여곡절 끝에 — after many complications/twists and turns; more dramatic and idiomatic.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

• ❌ 검토하는 끝에 결론을 내렸다 → ✅ 검토한 끝에 결론을 내렸다 (Use the completed modifier form before 끝에.)

• ❌ 이를 닦은 끝에 잠을 잤다 → ✅ 이를 닦고 나서 잠을 잤다 (Routine sequence needs -고 나서.)

• ❌ 회의하는 과정 끝에 문제가 생겼다 → ✅ 회의하는 과정에서 문제가 생겼다 (If it happened during the process, use -는 과정에서.)

• ❌ Treating -(으)ㄴ 끝에 and -(으)ㄴ 결과 as identical → ✅ Use 결과 for objective findings and 끝에 for the felt endpoint of effort/time.

• ❌ Overusing it with instant actions → ✅ Save it for processes that feel long, difficult, deliberate, or meaningful.

📦

🎯 Practice Hub — Focusing on the Result: -(으)ㄴ 끝에

 

Welcome to the advanced finish-line gym. 🏁 This Practice Hub helps you choose -(으)ㄴ 끝에 when a result deserves the weight of effort, time, investigation, discussion, or persistence behind it. By the end, you’ll be able to tell whether a Korean sentence wants a simple “after,” a report-like result, a during-process frame, or a satisfying final-result landing.

 

🔊 Audio reminder: Use

Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a completed sentence aloud.

 

📝 Instructions: Complete each prompt, say the completed Korean sentence aloud, and then open the Answer toggle. Pay special attention to whether the sentence needs V-(으)ㄴ 끝에, N 끝에, -(으)ㄴ 결과, -고 나서, or -는 과정에서.

 

Exercise 1 — Form Control 🧱

A. 검토하다 → 오랜 시간 ＿＿＿＿ 결론을 내렸다.

After reviewing for a long time, they drew a conclusion. 📄

Answer

검토한 끝에 — 검토하다 ends in 하다, so use 검토한. The sentence presents a final conclusion after a process.

B. 묻다 → 여러 기관에 ＿＿＿＿ 필요한 정보를 얻었다.

After asking several institutions, they obtained the needed information. 🏢

Answer

물은 끝에 — 묻다 “to ask” changes to 물은. Do not confuse it with 묻다 “to bury,” which conjugates differently by meaning.

C. 살다 → 지방에서 오래 ＿＿＿＿ 도시의 변화를 체감했다.

After living in the region for a long time, they felt the city’s changes firsthand. 🏙️

Answer

산 끝에 — 살다 is a ㄹ-stem: drop ㄹ before ㄴ.

D. 듣다 → 양쪽 설명을 모두 ＿＿＿＿ 판단을 보류했다.

After hearing both explanations, they postponed judgment. ⚖️

Answer

들은 끝에 — 듣다 → 들은; the sentence stresses a judgment made after receiving input.

E. 돕다 → 시민들이 서로 ＿＿＿＿ 복구 작업을 마쳤다.

After citizens helped one another, they finished the restoration work. 🧰

Answer

도운 끝에 — 돕다 is ㅂ-irregular: 돕다 → 도운.

F. 짓다 → 여러 차례 모형을 ＿＿＿＿ 최종 설계를 확정했다.

After building models several times, they finalized the design. 🏗️

Answer

지은 끝에 — 짓다 is ㅅ-irregular: 짓다 → 지은.

G. 고르다 → 후보지를 신중히 ＿＿＿＿ 새 사무실을 정했다.

After choosing the candidate sites carefully, they decided on the new office. 🏢

Answer

고른 끝에 — 고르다 → 고른; this is a completed modifier before 끝에.

H. 낫다 → 치료를 꾸준히 받아 건강이 ＿＿＿＿ 복귀했다.

After recovering through steady treatment, they returned. 🏥

Answer

나은 끝에 — 낫다 is ㅅ-irregular: 낫다 → 나은.

I. 이끌다 → 팀을 몇 년간 ＿＿＿＿ 큰 성과를 거두었다.

After leading the team for years, they achieved major results. 🧭

Answer

이끈 끝에 — 이끌다 is a ㄹ-stem: 이끌다 → 이끈.

J. 수집하다 → 자료를 광범위하게 ＿＿＿＿ 패턴을 발견했다.

After collecting data broadly, they discovered a pattern. 📊

Answer

수집한 끝에 — The result comes after accumulated collection, so 끝에 fits naturally.

🧱

Vocabulary Box

• 검토하다 → to review

• 묻다 → to ask

• 기관 → institution

• 얻다 → to obtain

• 살다 → to live

• 지방 → region/province

• 체감하다 → to feel firsthand

• 듣다 → to hear/listen

• 판단 → judgment

• 보류하다 → to postpone/withhold

• 돕다 → to help

• 복구 작업 → restoration work

• 짓다 → to build

• 모형 → model/prototype

• 확정하다 → to finalize

• 고르다 → to choose

• 후보지 → candidate site

• 낫다 → to recover/get better

• 이끌다 → to lead

• 수집하다 → to collect

Tip 💡 The grammar uses a completed modifier: 검토한, 들은, 산, 도운, 지은.

 

Exercise 2 — Process Nouns + 끝에 🧠

A. 오랜 논쟁 ＿＿＿＿ 위원회는 결정을 연기했다.

After a long dispute, the committee delayed the decision. 🗂️

Answer

끝에 — 논쟁 끝에 frames the decision as the endpoint of dispute.

B. 수소문 ＿＿＿＿ 오래된 기록을 찾아냈다.

After asking around, they found the old records. 📜

Answer

끝에 — 수소문 끝에 is a natural compact phrase.

C. 고생 ＿＿＿＿ 작은 가게를 안정시켰다.

After hardship, they stabilized the small shop. 🏪

Answer

끝에 — 고생 끝에 strongly implies effort and difficulty.

D. 심사숙고 ＿＿＿＿ 그는 공개 사과를 하기로 했다.

After careful consideration, they decided to make a public apology. 📝

Answer

끝에 — 심사숙고 끝에 has a formal, deliberate tone.

E. 우여곡절 ＿＿＿＿ 공동 연구가 다시 시작됐다.

After many twists and turns, the joint research restarted. 🔬

Answer

끝에 — This idiom highlights complications before the final result.

F. 치열한 토론 ＿＿＿＿ 새 기준이 마련됐다.

After heated debate, a new standard was prepared. 🧯

Answer

끝에 — 토론 끝에 fits decision-making contexts.

G. 장기간의 실험 ＿＿＿＿ 예상 밖의 결과가 나왔다.

After long-term experiments, an unexpected result came out. 🧪

Answer

끝에 — 실험 끝에 emphasizes the outcome after repeated testing.

H. 끈질긴 추적 ＿＿＿＿ 실종자를 구조했다.

After persistent tracking, they rescued the missing person. 🚁

Answer

끝에 — 추적 끝에 spotlights persistence before rescue.

I. 오랜 기다림 ＿＿＿＿ 입장권을 구했다.

After a long wait, they got the admission ticket. 🎟️

Answer

끝에 — 기다림 끝에 turns waiting into the process before the result.

J. 여러 차례의 조정 ＿＿＿＿ 일정이 확정됐다.

After several adjustments, the schedule was finalized. 🗓️

Answer

끝에 — 조정 끝에 fits an official finalization.

🧠

Vocabulary Box

• 논쟁 → dispute/argument

• 위원회 → committee

• 연기하다 → to postpone

• 수소문 → asking around/search by inquiry

• 기록 → record

• 찾아내다 → to find out/discover

• 고생 → hardship

• 안정시키다 → to stabilize

• 심사숙고 → careful consideration

• 공개 사과 → public apology

• 우여곡절 → twists and turns

• 공동 연구 → joint research

• 토론 → debate/discussion

• 기준 → standard

• 실험 → experiment

• 추적 → tracking/pursuit

• 실종자 → missing person

• 기다림 → waiting

• 조정 → adjustment

Tip 💡 Noun + 끝에 is especially useful in formal summaries, news, reports, and polished storytelling.

 

Exercise 3 — Result Nuance: 끝에 vs 결과 📊

A. 설문을 분석한 ＿＿＿＿ 응답자의 절반이 반대하는 것으로 나타났다.

As a result of analyzing the survey, half of respondents were found to oppose it. 📋

Answer

결과 — This is a report-like finding, so 분석한 결과 is better.

B. 끈질기게 분석한 ＿＿＿＿ 숨겨진 오류를 발견했다.

After persistent analysis, they discovered a hidden error. 🧩

Answer

끝에 — The sentence emphasizes effort leading to discovery.

C. 자료를 비교한 ＿＿＿＿ 두 집단의 차이가 뚜렷했다.

As a result of comparing the data, the difference between the two groups was clear. 📈

Answer

결과 — Objective analytical outcome: 비교한 결과.

D. 몇 주 동안 비교한 ＿＿＿＿ 더 안전한 방식을 선택했다.

After comparing for weeks, they chose the safer method. 🛡️

Answer

끝에 — Time and deliberation lead to a decision.

E. 현장을 조사한 ＿＿＿＿ 규정 위반이 확인됐다.

As a result of inspecting the site, a rule violation was confirmed. 🚧

Answer

결과 — Formal confirmation after inspection uses 결과 naturally.

F. 주민들을 설득한 ＿＿＿＿ 재개발 계획이 승인됐다.

After persuading the residents, the redevelopment plan was approved. 🏗️

Answer

끝에 — Persuasion is a process with a hard-won result.

G. 검사를 실시한 ＿＿＿＿ 이상 징후는 발견되지 않았다.

As a result of conducting the test, no abnormal signs were found. 🩺

Answer

결과 — A test result takes 결과.

H. 수년간 연구한 ＿＿＿＿ 새로운 치료법을 개발했다.

After researching for years, they developed a new treatment method. 🔬

Answer

끝에 — The years of research matter; 끝에 gives that weight.

I. 여론을 조사한 ＿＿＿＿ 찬성이 더 많았다.

As a result of surveying public opinion, support was higher. 🗳️

Answer

결과 — This is survey reporting.

J. 마지막까지 조율한 ＿＿＿＿ 공연 일정이 확정됐다.

After coordinating until the end, the performance schedule was finalized. 🎭

Answer

끝에 — 마지막까지 and 조율하다 signal a hard process toward finalization.

📊

Vocabulary Box

• 설문 → survey

• 분석하다 → to analyze

• 응답자 → respondent

• 반대하다 → to oppose

• 끈질기다 → to be persistent

• 숨겨지다 → to be hidden

• 오류 → error

• 비교하다 → to compare

• 뚜렷하다 → to be clear/distinct

• 현장 → site/scene

• 규정 위반 → rule violation

• 확인되다 → to be confirmed

• 설득하다 → to persuade

• 승인되다 → to be approved

• 검사 → test/examination

• 실시하다 → to conduct

• 징후 → sign/symptom

• 치료법 → treatment method

• 조율하다 → to coordinate/adjust

Tip 💡 결과 reports the outcome; 끝에 narrates the road to the outcome.

 

Exercise 4 — Connector Choice in Context 🔍

A. 발표 자료를 만들＿＿＿＿ 바로 잠자리에 들었다.

After making the presentation materials, they went straight to bed. 😴

Answer

고 나서 — This is simple sequence, not a hard-won result.

B. 발표 자료를 여러 번 수정한 ＿＿＿＿ 최종본을 제출했다.

After revising the presentation materials several times, they submitted the final version. 📤

Answer

끝에 — Repeated revisions led to a final result.

C. 자료를 정리하는 ＿＿＿＿ 누락된 항목을 발견했다.

While organizing the materials, they found a missing item. 🗂️

Answer

과정에서 — The discovery happened during the process.

D. 자료를 정리한 ＿＿＿＿ 누락된 항목이 세 개로 확인됐다.

As a result of organizing the materials, three missing items were confirmed. ✅

Answer

결과 — This reports a confirmed finding.

E. 관계자들과 며칠 동안 논의한 ＿＿＿＿ 행사를 취소하지 않기로 했다.

After discussing with the people involved for several days, they decided not to cancel the event. 🎪

Answer

끝에 — Long discussion leads to a final decision.

F. 회의가 끝나＿＿＿＿ 참석자들은 식당으로 이동했다.

After the meeting ended, the attendees moved to a restaurant. 🍽️

Answer

고 나서 — Ordinary sequence: meeting ended, then people moved.

G. 계약 조건을 조정하는 ＿＿＿＿ 예상치 못한 문제가 생겼다.

An unexpected problem arose while adjusting the contract terms. 📑

Answer

과정에서 — The problem happened inside the adjustment process.

H. 계약 조건을 끝까지 조정한 ＿＿＿＿ 양사가 서명했다.

After adjusting the contract terms to the end, both companies signed. ✍️

Answer

끝에 — Negotiation/adjustment reached a final signature.

I. 새 약을 복용한 ＿＿＿＿ 부작용은 관찰되지 않았다.

As a result of taking the new medicine, side effects were not observed. 💊

Answer

결과 — Medical/observational finding: 결과.

J. 수많은 시행착오를 겪은 ＿＿＿＿ 안정적인 공정을 만들었다.

After going through countless trials and errors, they created a stable process. ⚙️

Answer

끝에 — 시행착오 and 겪다 strongly imply a process before success.

🔍

Vocabulary Box

• 발표 자료 → presentation materials

• 만들다 → to make

• 수정하다 → to revise

• 최종본 → final version

• 제출하다 → to submit

• 정리하다 → to organize

• 누락되다 → to be omitted/missing

• 항목 → item

• 관계자 → person involved

• 취소하다 → to cancel

• 참석자 → attendee

• 이동하다 → to move

• 계약 조건 → contract terms

• 예상치 못하다 → to be unexpected

• 서명하다 → to sign

• 복용하다 → to take medicine

• 부작용 → side effect

• 관찰되다 → to be observed

• 시행착오 → trial and error

• 겪다 → to undergo/experience

Tip 💡 Ask: sequence, during-process event, objective result, or hard-won endpoint?

 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 오랜 검토하는 끝에 발표했다. → ✅ 오랜 ＿＿＿＿ 발표했다.

After long review, they made the announcement. 📣

Answer

검토 끝에 or 검토한 끝에 — Do not use 검토하는 끝에; N 끝에 or V-(으)ㄴ 끝에 is required.

B. ❌ 물을 마신 끝에 약을 먹었다. → ✅ 물을 ＿＿＿＿ 약을 먹었다.

After drinking water, they took medicine. 💧

Answer

마시고 나서 — Drinking water before medicine is a simple sequence, not an effortful final result.

C. ❌ 조사하는 과정 끝에 단서를 찾았다. → ✅ 조사하는 ＿＿＿＿ 단서를 찾았다.

They found a clue during the investigation. 🕵️

Answer

과정에서 — If the clue appears during the process, use -는 과정에서.

D. ❌ 자료를 분석한 끝에 응답률은 42%였다. → ✅ 자료를 분석한 ＿＿＿＿ 응답률은 42%였다.

As a result of analyzing the data, the response rate was 42 percent. 📊

Answer

결과 — A statistical finding usually wants 결과.

E. 그들은 수년간의 노력 ＿＿＿＿ 독자적인 기술을 개발했다.

After years of effort, they developed their own technology. 🧪

Answer

끝에 — 노력 끝에 frames the technology as a hard-won achievement.

F. 끈질기게 설득＿＿＿＿ 주민 대표가 계획에 동의했다.

After persistent persuasion, the residents’ representative agreed to the plan. 🏘️

Answer

한 끝에 — 설득하다 → 설득한 끝에; the result is agreement after effort.

G. 회의록을 확인한 ＿＿＿＿ 날짜가 잘못 적혀 있었다.

As a result of checking the meeting minutes, the date was written incorrectly. 🗓️

Answer

결과 — This is a discovered fact from checking.

H. 밤늦게까지 논의한 ＿＿＿＿ 임시 방안을 마련했다.

After discussing until late at night, they prepared a temporary measure. 🌙

Answer

끝에 — Time + discussion + final measure = classic 끝에.

I. 시제품을 테스트하는 ＿＿＿＿ 결함이 발견됐다.

A defect was found while testing the prototype. 🧪

Answer

과정에서 — The defect appeared during testing, not necessarily at the endpoint.

J. 마침내 오랜 갈등 ＿＿＿＿ 두 단체가 화해했다.

Finally, after a long conflict, the two groups reconciled. 🕊️

Answer

끝에 — 마침내 and 갈등 reinforce the feeling of a long process reaching resolution.

🛡️

Vocabulary Box

• 발표하다 → to announce/present

• 마시다 → to drink

• 약을 먹다 → to take medicine

• 단서 → clue

• 응답률 → response rate

• 노력 → effort

• 독자적 → independent/original

• 기술 → technology

• 주민 대표 → residents’ representative

• 동의하다 → to agree/consent

• 회의록 → meeting minutes

• 잘못 → incorrectly/wrongly

• 적히다 → to be written down

• 밤늦게까지 → until late at night

• 임시 방안 → temporary measure

• 시제품 → prototype

• 테스트하다 → to test

• 결함 → defect

• 갈등 → conflict

• 화해하다 → to reconcile

Tip 💡 Pitfall patrol: 끝에 needs a meaningful endpoint; 결과 reports findings; 과정에서 catches events inside the process; 고 나서 handles everyday sequence.

 

🎉 Excellent finish-line work. You can now use -(으)ㄴ 끝에 to make a result feel earned — after the debate, the search, the effort, the revisions, the waiting, and the tiny grammar dragon you just defeated. 🐉🏁