終 (zhōng) - End, finish, terminate & death

終Tone 1

zhōng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

志

終 · zhōng

End, finish, terminate;

death;

the whole, entire;

eventually, in the end.

End, finish, terminatedeaththe whole, entire

Usage highlights

FinallyEnd of lifeTerminal illnessEnd pointThroughout one's lifeTo the end

Synonyms

  • 末— end, final part
  • 结— conclude, knot
  • 完— finish, complete

Antonyms

  • 始— beginning, start
  • 初— initial, first
  • 开— open, begin

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The meeting has ended (会议终了).
  • He finally achieved his goal (他终于成功了).
  • From beginning to end (自始至终).
  • The end of the year (年终).

Collocations

  • Finally(终于)
  • End of life(终老)
  • Terminal illness(终病)
  • End point(终点)
  • Throughout one's life(终身)
  • To the end(终归)

Idioms

  • From beginning to end(自始至终)
  • To carry through to the end(贯彻始终)
  • To see something through to the end(善始善终)
  • All good things must come to an end(天下无不散之筵席)
  • To die without regret(死而无终)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese philosophy, 终 represents completion and closure, often paired with 始 (beginning) to represent the full cycle of events.
  • The character carries connotations of finality and inevitability, reflecting traditional views on life cycles and natural conclusions.
  • Used in both positive contexts (successful completion) and negative contexts (death, ending).

FAQ