Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== jiéshù: 结束 - End, Finish, Conclude ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 结束, jiéshù, end in Chinese, finish in Chinese, conclude a meeting Chinese, jieshu meaning, Chinese for "it's over", 结束 vs 完, HSK 3 vocabulary, how to end something in Chinese. * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese verb **结束 (jiéshù)**, meaning "to end," "finish," or "conclude." This page breaks down how to use `结束` for everything from ending a meeting or a movie to concluding a relationship or an era. Discover the crucial difference between `结束` and `完 (wán)`, see practical examples, and understand its cultural significance for clear and structured communication in Chinese. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiéshù * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 * **Concise Definition:** To end, finish, conclude, or bring an event or process to a close. * **In a Nutshell:** `结束` is the word you use when an event, activity, or period of time reaches its designated final point. Think of it as the formal "conclusion" rather than just "stopping." While you "finish" (完 wán) eating your food, the dinner party itself "ends" (结束 jiéshù). It marks the cessation of a structured process. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **结 (jié):** The original meaning is "to tie a knot" or "to bind." It's composed of the silk radical 纟(sī) and 吉 (jí). Think of tying threads together to form a solid connection or, in this case, to tie everything off at the end. * **束 (shù):** This character means "to bundle," "to bind," or "to restrain." The character is a pictogram of a bundle of wood tied together with a rope. * **Combined Meaning:** The combination of "tying a knot" (结) and "bundling up" (束) creates a vivid image of gathering all the loose ends of an activity and tying them together into a neat, finished bundle. This signifies a complete and final conclusion. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In Chinese culture, there's an appreciation for clear structure and formality in many social and professional interactions. `结束` embodies this by providing a definitive marker for the end of an event. It's not just that things stopped; it's that they have formally **concluded**. * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In English, we might casually say a party "wound down" or "we stopped for the day." Using `结束` is closer to the formal English concept of a meeting being "adjourned," a performance "concluding," or a trial "ending." For example, when a boss says `会议结束了 (Huìyì jiéshù le)`, it carries an official finality. * This formality extends to personal matters. Declaring `我们结束了 (Wǒmen jiéshù le)` is a very serious and final way to state a breakup. It implies the entire "process" of the relationship has reached its conclusion, making it feel more weighty and less ambiguous than the more common `我们分手了 (wǒmen fēnshǒu le - we broke up)`. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * `结束` is extremely common and is used in both formal and everyday contexts for activities that have a defined structure. * **Formal Contexts:** Used for meetings, conferences, official events, legal contracts, and academic terms. * `新闻发布会到此结束。 (Xīnwén fābù huì dào cǐ jiéshù.)` - The press conference concludes here. * **Informal / Everyday Contexts:** Used for classes, movies, phone calls, trips, or the workday. * `电影结束了，我们走吧。 (Diànyǐng jiéshù le, wǒmen zǒu ba.)` - The movie's over, let's go. * **Connotation:** The word itself is neutral. The feeling it evokes depends entirely on the context. The end of a long exam is a relief (`考试终于结束了! - The exam finally ended!`), while the end of a wonderful vacation can be sad (`假期要结束了。 - The vacation is about to end.`). ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 今天的会议现在**结束**。 * Pinyin: Jīntiān de huìyì xiànzài **jiéshù**. * English: Today's meeting ends now. * Analysis: A very common and formal announcement used to conclude a meeting. `现在 (xiànzài)` pinpoints the exact moment of conclusion. * **Example 2:** * 电影九点**结束**，我们还有时间吃点东西。 * Pinyin: Diànyǐng jiǔ diǎn **jiéshù**, wǒmen hái yǒu shíjiān chī diǎn dōngxi. * English: The movie ends at nine, so we still have time to eat something. * Analysis: Here, `结束` is used to talk about the scheduled end time of an event. * **Example 3:** * 我觉得我们的关系应该**结束**了。 * Pinyin: Wǒ juéde wǒmen de guānxì yīnggāi **jiéshù** le. * English: I think our relationship should be over. * Analysis: This is a serious and definitive way to talk about ending a relationship. It's more formal and emotionally heavy than just saying "break up" (`分手 fēnshǒu`). * **Example 4:** * 这学期的课终于**结束**了！ * Pinyin: Zhè xuéqī de kè zhōngyú **jiéshù** le! * English: This semester's classes have finally ended! * Analysis: The use of `终于 (zhōngyú - finally)` expresses a strong sense of relief that a long process is over. * **Example 5:** * 他**结束**了长达十年的海外生活，回到了中国。 * Pinyin: Tā **jiéshù** le cháng dá shí nián de hǎiwài shēnghuó, huídào le Zhōngguó. * English: He ended his decade-long life overseas and returned to China. * Analysis: `结束` can be used to describe the conclusion of an era or a long period in someone's life. * **Example 6:** * 比赛在热烈的掌声中**结束**了。 * Pinyin: Bǐsài zài rèliè de zhǎngshēng zhōng **jiéshù** le. * English: The competition ended amidst warm applause. * Analysis: This example shows how an event (`比赛` - competition) concludes. The phrase `在...中结束 (zài...zhōng jiéshù)` means "to end in/amidst..." * **Example 7:** * 等我**结束**工作，我就给你打电话。 * Pinyin: Děng wǒ **jiéshù** gōngzuò, wǒ jiù gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà. * English: I'll call you after I finish work. * Analysis: While `下班 (xiàbān)` is more common for "getting off work," `结束工作` is also perfectly natural and means to finish the day's work activities. * **Example 8:** * 我们的旅行在美丽的京都**结束**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen de lǚxíng zài měilì de Jīngdū **jiéshù**. * English: Our trip ended in beautiful Kyoto. * Analysis: Used to describe the final point or destination of a journey. * **Example 9:** * 这场争论什么时候才能**结束**？ * Pinyin: Zhè chǎng zhēnglùn shénme shíhou cái néng **jiéshù**? * English: When will this argument ever end? * Analysis: Used in a question to express frustration about a process that is dragging on. * **Example 10:** * 请大家在五分钟内**结束**讨论。 * Pinyin: Qǐng dàjiā zài wǔ fēnzhōng nèi **jiéshù** tǎolùn. * English: Everyone, please conclude your discussion within five minutes. * Analysis: Here, `结束` is used as a command or instruction, telling people to bring an activity to a close. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **The Golden Rule: `结束 (jiéshù)` vs. `完 (wán)`** * This is the most common point of confusion for learners. * **`完 (wán)`** is a result complement. It attaches to a verb to show a task is **completed** by someone. It focuses on the action being done. * `我吃**完**了。 (Wǒ chī **wán** le.)` - I finished eating. * `我做**完**作业了。 (Wǒ zuò **wán** zuòyè le.)` - I finished my homework. * **`结束 (jiéshù)`** is a verb that describes an event or process **ending**. It focuses on the event itself, not necessarily who did it. * `晚饭**结束**了。 (Wǎnfàn **jiéshù** le.)` - The dinner (as an event) is over. * `考试**结束**了。 (Kǎoshì **jiéshù** le.)` - The exam (as an event) is over. * **Common Mistake:** Applying `结束` to a simple task completion. * **Incorrect:** `我读结束这本书了。 (Wǒ dú jiéshù zhè běn shū le.)` * **Why it's wrong:** Reading a book is a task you complete. The action of "reading" is finished. * **Correct:** `我读**完**这本书了。 (Wǒ dú **wán** zhè běn shū le.)` * **When could you use `结束` with a book?** You could say `这本书的故事在一个悲伤的音符上结束了。` (The story of this book ended on a sad note.) Here, you're talking about the story (the process/event) ending, not your personal action of reading. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[完]] (wán) - A result complement indicating the **completion** of a task. It's about finishing an action (e.g., eating, writing, reading). * [[完成]] (wánchéng) - A more formal verb meaning "to complete" or "accomplish." Used for projects, missions, or significant tasks. `我们完成了这个项目。` (We completed this project.) * [[停止]] (tíngzhǐ) - "To stop" or "to cease." Often implies an interruption, which could be temporary or permanent. `请停止说话。` (Please stop talking.) * [[终止]] (zhōngzhǐ) - "To terminate." A very formal and official term, often used in legal or business contexts, like terminating a contract (`终止合同`). * [[开始]] (kāishǐ) - The direct antonym of `结束`, meaning "to start" or "to begin." * [[结局]] (jiéjú) - A noun meaning "the ending" or "final result," especially for a story, film, or series of events. * [[分手]] (fēnshǒu) - The specific verb for "to break up" in a romantic relationship. It's more common and less formal than saying a relationship has `结束`. * [[末]] (mò) - A character meaning "end" or "tip," often used in compound words like `周末 (zhōumò - weekend)` or `期末 (qīmò - end of a semester)`.