Translation guide
This phrase means to end or finish something, often a meeting, event, or period of time. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being ended and the nuance (e.g., wrapping up vs. formally concluding).
To finish or wrap up a gathering, ceremony, or planned activity.
Transitive verb meaning to finish something you are doing or responsible for. Common for meetings, work, and events.
会議を終えましょう。
Let's bring the meeting to a close.
彼はスピーチを終えた。
He brought his speech to a close.
Intransitive verb meaning something ends. Use when the event itself comes to a close, not when someone actively ends it.
Do not use 終わる with a direct object. For 'bring X to a close', use 終える.
パーティーが終わった。
The party came to a close.
To wrap up or bring something to a neat conclusion, often with a summary or final remark. Common for speeches, meetings, or the end of a period.
最後に一言で締めくくります。
I'll bring this to a close with one final word.
Formal verb for closing a meeting, conference, or formal gathering. Often used in official contexts.
議長が会議を閉会した。
The chairperson brought the meeting to a close.
To conclude a phase, season, or era, often with a sense of finality.
Literally 'to close the curtain', used metaphorically for bringing an event, era, or performance to a close. Dramatic nuance.
その事件は長い歴史に幕を閉じた。
That incident brought a long history to a close.
Also used for finishing a period of time, like a day or a year.
To put an end to something or mark a turning point, often emotionally or psychologically. Implies closure.
彼は過去に区切りをつけた。
He brought his past to a close.
To finalize an agreement, contract, or discussion.
To bring together and finalize; to wrap up a deal or discussion successfully.
交渉をまとめるのに苦労した。
We struggled to bring the negotiations to a close.
To bring something into effect; to conclude an agreement formally.
契約を成立させた。
We brought the contract to a close.
終える (transitive) means someone actively finishes something. 終わる (intransitive) means something ends on its own. For 'bring to a close', 終える is usually correct because you are acting on the event.
会議を終える (○) vs. 会議が終わる (○, but different meaning)
bring the meeting to a close vs. the meeting comes to a close
Avoid directly translating 'bring' and 'close' as 持ってくる and 閉じる. This sounds unnatural. Use the verbs above depending on context.
I write in my journal before bringing the day to a close.