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schließlich

finally

adverb SHLEES-likh Common
Time Time Expressions

Also means

after all

Usage Note

schließlich means 'finally / in the end' when describing a sequence, but very often it means 'after all' as a justification: Ich helfe ihm, schließlich ist er mein Bruder. This second sense surprises learners who only know the time meaning. It derives from schließen ('to close, conclude').

Examples

"Schließlich gab er nach."

Natural Translation

In the end he gave in.

Literal Translation

Finally gave he in.

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