====== jiéwěi: 结尾 - Ending, Conclusion, End ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 结尾, jiewei, Chinese word for ending, how to say conclusion in Chinese, end of a story in Chinese, ending in Mandarin, 结尾 meaning, 结尾 vs 结束, conclusion, finale
  * **Summary:** Learn how to use **结尾 (jiéwěi)**, the essential Chinese noun for "ending," "conclusion," or "finale." This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage in conversations about movies, books, and speeches. Discover the crucial difference between **结尾 (jiéwěi)** and **结束 (jiéshù)** to avoid common mistakes and speak more like a native.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiéwěi
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** The final part, ending, or conclusion of a story, text, performance, or event.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **结尾 (jiéwěi)** as the "tail end" of something. It's not the *act* of finishing, but the *final section* itself. It's the last chapter of a book, the final scene of a movie, or the concluding paragraph of an essay. It refers to a concrete part, the tangible end piece that wraps everything up.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **结 (jié):** This character means "to tie," "to knot," or "to conclude." Imagine tying a knot at the end of a rope to finish it off. It represents bringing things together and finalizing them.
  * **尾 (wěi):** This character means "tail." It's one of the most direct and visual characters, clearly representing the end part of an animal or object.
When combined, **结尾 (jiéwěi)** literally means the "concluding tail." This paints a vivid picture of the final part that is "tied on" to the end of a larger body, providing a clear and logical meaning for the word "ending."
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
While **结尾 (jiéwěi)** is a straightforward term, the *type* of ending it describes can carry cultural weight. In traditional Chinese storytelling and even modern dramas, there is often a cultural preference for endings that provide a sense of closure and completeness.
This is best contrasted with the Western concept of an "ambiguous ending" or a "cliffhanger." In Chinese culture, an ending that achieves **圆满 (yuánmǎn)**—a state of being complete, satisfactory, and perfect—is often considered the ideal. A **圆满的结尾 (yuánmǎn de jiéwěi)** is one where conflicts are resolved, justice is served, and harmony is restored. While modern Chinese media has embraced more varied narrative structures, the appreciation for a clear and satisfying conclusion remains strong. A "bad ending" isn't just one that is sad, but often one that feels incomplete, rushed, or illogical.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**结尾 (jiéwěi)** is a common, neutral term used in both formal and informal settings. Its meaning is consistent across different contexts.
**In Formal Contexts (Writing and Speeches):**
You will frequently encounter this term in academic or professional settings.
  *   **文章的结尾 (wénzhāng de jiéwěi):** The conclusion of an essay.
  *   **报告的结尾 (bàogào de jiéwěi):** The conclusion of a report.
  *   **演讲的结尾 (yǎnjiǎng de jiéwěi):** The end of a speech.
**In Everyday Conversation (Media and Storytelling):**
This is the most common usage for learners. People use it to discuss books, movies, TV shows, and even stories they tell each other.
  *   **电影的结尾 (diànyǐng de jiéwěi):** The movie's ending.
  *   **小说的结尾 (xiǎoshuō de jiéwěi):** The novel's ending.
The word itself is neutral. Its positive or negative connotation comes from the adjectives used with it:
  *   **一个完美的结尾 (yī gè wánměi de jiéwěi):** A perfect ending.
  *   **一个悲伤的结尾 (yī gè bēishāng de jiéwěi):** A sad ending.
  *   **一个开放式的结尾 (yī gè kāifàngshì de jiéwěi):** An open-ended ending.
  *   **一个草率的结尾 (yī gè cǎoshuài de jiéwěi):** A rushed/sloppy ending.
===== Example Sentences =====
**Example 1:**
这个故事的**结尾**很感人。
Pinyin: Zhè ge gùshi de **jiéwěi** hěn gǎnrén.
English: The ending of this story is very moving.
Analysis: A straightforward use of **结尾** as the noun "ending" to describe a story.
**Example 2:**
我不喜欢这部电影的**结尾**，太突然了。
Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhè bù diànyǐng de **jiéwěi**, tài tūrán le.
English: I don't like this movie's ending, it was too abrupt.
Analysis: Here, the speaker is expressing an opinion about the quality of the ending.
**Example 3:**
在文章的**结尾**，作者总结了他的主要观点。
Pinyin: Zài wénzhāng de **jiéwěi**, zuòzhě zǒngjié le tā de zhǔyào guāndiǎn.
English: At the conclusion of the article, the author summarized his main points.
Analysis: This shows its formal usage in the context of writing. The structure `在...的结尾` means "at the end of...".
**Example 4:**
导演给电影留了一个开放式的**结尾**。
Pinyin: Dǎoyǎn gěi diànyǐng liú le yī gè kāifàngshì de **jiéwěi**.
English: The director left the movie with an open-ended ending.
Analysis: A great example of an adjective (`开放式的` - open-style) modifying **结尾**.
**Example 5:**
我希望他们的爱情故事能有一个快乐的**结尾**。
Pinyin: Wǒ xīwàng tāmen de àiqíng gùshi néng yǒu yī gè kuàilè de **jiéwěi**.
English: I hope their love story can have a happy ending.
Analysis: `快乐的结尾` is the standard way to say "a happy ending."
**Example 6:**
虽然过程很辛苦，但总算有了一个圆满的**结尾**。
Pinyin: Suīrán guòchéng hěn xīnkǔ, dàn zǒngsuàn yǒu le yī gè yuánmǎn de **jiéwěi**.
English: Although the process was tough, it finally had a perfect/satisfactory conclusion.
Analysis: This sentence uses the culturally significant concept of a `圆满 (yuánmǎn)` ending.
**Example 7:**
小说的**结尾**出人意料。
Pinyin: Xiǎoshuō de **jiéwěi** chūrényìliào.
English: The novel's ending was unexpected.
Analysis: `出人意料 (chūrényìliào)` is a common chengyu (idiom) used to describe a surprising plot twist or ending.
**Example 8:**
这首歌的**结尾**部分非常优美。
Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē de **jiéwěi** bùfen fēicháng yōuměi.
English: The ending part of this song is extremely beautiful.
Analysis: Demonstrates that **结尾** can also refer to the final section of a piece of music.
**Example 9:**
请在信的**结尾**写上你的名字和日期。
Pinyin: Qǐng zài xìn de **jiéwěi** xiěshàng nǐ de míngzi hé rìqī.
English: Please write your name and the date at the end of the letter.
Analysis: Practical usage for formal or informal correspondence.
**Example 10:**
电视剧的**结尾**有点太草率了，好像是赶着拍完的。
Pinyin: Diànshìjù de **jiéwěi** yǒudiǎn tài cǎoshuài le, hǎoxiàng shì gǎnzhe pāiwán de.
English: The TV show's ending was a bit too rushed, as if they were in a hurry to finish filming.
Analysis: `草率 (cǎoshuài)` is a perfect adjective to describe a poorly planned or hastily finished ending.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The single most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **结尾 (jiéwěi)** and **结束 (jiéshù)**. They both relate to "ending," but are not interchangeable.
  *   **结尾 (jiéwěi)** is a **NOUN**. It refers to the **final part** or **section**.
  *   **结束 (jiéshù)** is primarily a **VERB**. It refers to the **action** of ending, finishing, or concluding.
Think of it this way:
  *   An activity or event **结束 (jiéshù)**s.
  *   A story or text *has* a **结尾 (jiéwěi)**.
**Common Mistake:** Using **结尾** as a verb.
  *   **Incorrect:** `会议结尾了。` (The meeting "ending-part"-ed.)
  *   **Correct:** `会议结束了。` (The meeting ended/concluded.)
  *   **Correct:** `我喜欢会议的结尾。` (I liked the conclusion/end part of the meeting.)
**False Friend: "End"**
In English, "end" can be a noun ("the end of the road") or a verb ("the road will end"). In Chinese, these concepts are cleanly separated.
  *   If you mean "the end" as a **thing/part**, use **结尾**.
  *   If you mean "to end" as an **action**, use **结束**.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[结束]] (jiéshù) - A verb meaning "to end" or "to finish." The most important term to distinguish from **结尾**.
  *   [[结局]] (jiéjú) - A noun meaning the final result, outcome, or ending of a story. It's more focused on the plot's resolution (e.g., who lived, who died) than the structural final part.
  *   [[开头]] (kāitóu) - The beginning, the start. The direct antonym of **结尾**.
  *   [[最后]] (zuìhòu) - An adverb/adjective meaning "final," "last," or "finally." You often talk about what happens **最后** in the **结尾**.
  *   [[总结]] (zǒngjié) - A verb/noun meaning "to summarize" or "a summary." A summary is often the main component of a formal **结尾**.
  *   [[末尾]] (mòwěi) - The very end, the tip. A close synonym of **结尾**, often used for the very last part of a list, a line, or a text. It can feel slightly more literal.
  *   [[圆满]] (yuánmǎn) - An adjective for "satisfactory, complete, perfect." Describes a culturally valued type of **结尾**.