jiéwěi: 结尾 - Ending, Conclusion, End

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.”

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.

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 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.

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.

• 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.