Question 1

Why use in fin dei conti here instead of in sintesi?

Accepted Answer

in fin dei conti literally translates to "at the end of the accounts" (ultimately / at the end of the day). It is used to draw a final conclusion after weighing different factors—in this case, the long time it took versus the brilliant result. in sintesi just means "in summary," which doesn't capture that sense of weighing pros and cons.

Question 2

Why is the verb formatted as ci sono voluti and not ci è voluto?

Accepted Answer

This uses the verb volerci (to take time or effort). The verb must always agree with the subject, which is the thing that is needed. Since molti anni (many years) is masculine plural, you must use the plural form of the auxiliary essere (sono) and make the past participle agree by ending it in -i (voluti).

Question 3

Could I place in fin dei conti at the very end of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, connectors of conclusion are quite flexible in Italian. You could say ...ma il suo contributo è stato geniale, in fin dei conti. Placing it right after ma simply emphasizes the shift to the final conclusion earlier in the clause.

Question 4

Is the adjective geniale normally used for things, or just for people?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, geniale (brilliant / genius) is extremely common for describing inanimate concepts like a contribution, an idea (un'idea geniale), or a solution, just as much as it is used to describe a brilliant person.

Ci sono voluti molti anni, ma in fin dei conti il suo contributo è stato geniale.

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