"al fin" = in/at the end

Question

Can "al fin" mean "at the end" (like "Al fin del cuento, todos estaban contentos." // "Al fin, todos estaban contentos.") or does it mean something more like "por fin"?

To clarify: Here on SD, "al fin" says it can mean "finally" and "al fin de ____" can mean "at the end of ____", but I guess I'm wondering if plain old "al fin" can be understand as "at the end,...."

Answer 1

Al final, todos estaban contentos. = In/at the end, everyone was happy.

al fin y al cabo - 0074b507, Mar 8, 2011

Answer 2

Ah, ¡ al fin llegaste!= Ah, finally, you arrived!

Llegué al fin de semana sin un centavo = I arrived at the end of the week penniless.

Answer 3

Al final - at the end

Al fin - in the end/end up

Por fin - at last

¿Al fin, fuiste al club? - Did you go to the club in the end? Did you end up going to the club?

Si, pero al final de la noche, - Yes, but at the end of the night.

Por fin, conoces el club. - At last you know (you have been to for the first time) the club.

That's my understanding.

Great illustrations, Alex! This really clarifies it. - hhmdirocco, Mar 8, 2011

Thanks :-) - afowen, Mar 8, 2011

"¿Al fin, fuiste al club?" could also be translated, "Did you end up going to the club?" - hhmdirocco, Mar 8, 2011

Yeah, totally - the same meaning as in the end and equally as distinct to both at last and at the end. Will add it, cheers - afowen, Mar 8, 2011

Answer 4

Yes, 'por fin' is more like 'finally everyone was ...'

Answer 5

"Al fin de la calle" is best avoided.