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According to the dictionary I use to study, both are adverbs and their
definitions are so similar that I can't tell the difference:

> [結局【けっきょく】](https://jisho.org/word/%E7%B5%90%E5%B1%80): after all; in the
> end; ultimately; eventually
>
> [とうとう](https://jisho.org/word/%E5%88%B0%E9%A0%AD): finally; at last;
> ultimately; in the end

What is the difference between both words (e.g. meaning, nuance, level of
formality, style of speech, _none at all_ …) ?
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2019-04-27T16:25:34.973
67828
2019-04-29T08:52:20.290
2020-06-17T08:18:27.500
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question
words adverbs synonyms
What is the difference between 「結局【けっきょく】」and 「とうとう」?
「とうとう」implies a continual process that led to the outcome, whereas
「結局」doesn't.

For example, one can say 「結局力不足なのだ」but not「とうとう力不足なのだ」because 力不足 is not a
state achieved via a continuous process. On the other hand, one can both
say「とうとう力尽きた」and「結局力尽きた」which has roughly the same meaning, but the former
draws a lot more attention to the continued struggle that led to the outcome.

Other examples:

> Natural:「結局牛肉は好まれない」  
>  Unnatural:「とうとう牛肉は好まれない」

> 1st:「少しづつ侵食が進み、とうとう倒壊した」  
>  2nd:「少しづつ侵食が進み、結局倒壊した」

Both have very similar meanings, but the 1st describes how the gradual process
eventually led to the outcome. The 2nd describes what the ultimate outcome
was.
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2019-04-28T12:53:52.217
67847
2019-04-29T08:52:20.290
2019-04-29T08:52:20.290
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answer