Questions & Answers about W końcu przyszedł!
What is the difference between w końcu and nareszcie?
Both can translate to finally, and in this sentence, they are completely interchangeable. Nareszcie usually expresses strong relief or emotion (At last!), while w końcu is a bit more neutral and can also mean in the end or eventually.
Why is the word końcu used here instead of the base form koniec?
The preposition w requires the locative case here, which changes the dictionary form koniec to końcu. Together, w końcu forms a fixed phrase meaning finally or in the end.
Since there is no pronoun like on in this sentence, how do we know it was a man who arrived?
In Polish, past tense verbs change based on the gender of the subject. Przyszedł is specifically the masculine singular form. If a woman had finally arrived, the verb would change and the sentence would be W końcu przyszła!
Could I use przyjechał here instead of przyszedł?
Only if you know he arrived by some form of transport. Przyszedł comes from the verb przyjść, which specifically means to arrive on foot. If he drove, took a bus, or rode a train, you would say W końcu przyjechał!
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