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.
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.
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…”
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)`.