终结

• Pinyin: zhōng jié
• Hanzi breakdown: 终 = 纟+ 冬 (thread + winter — final thread); 结 = 纟+ 吉 (thread + lucky — tie/conclude)

Meaning

To end; to conclude; to terminate. The final ending of something that has run its course.

Stronger than 结束, implying finality. Used for eras (终结一个时代), reigns (终结者 — terminator), and legal proceedings. Often dramatic or significant. Internet meme: X终结者 means someone/something that destroys X.

Examples

1. 这场判决终结了持续十年的法律纠纷。 This ruling brought an end to a legal dispute that had lasted ten years.
2. 数字技术的普及终结了传统胶片相机的时代。 The widespread adoption of digital technology brought the era of traditional film cameras to an end.
3. 科学家预测这颗小行星不会终结地球生命。 Scientists predict this asteroid will not bring an end to life on Earth.

Usage Guide

Context: history, legal, dramatic events

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 和平协议的签署终结了两国之间的敌对状态。(The signing of the peace agreement ended the hostile state between the two countries.)
• 新技术的出现往往会终结旧的商业模式。(The emergence of new technology often terminates old business models.)

Don't Say

• 会议终结了 — too dramatic for a meeting; use 会议结束了; 终结 is for significant, permanent endings

Origin & History

终 (end/final) + 结 (conclude/tie up)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal