bittersweet ending
Wasei-eigo from English 'bitter end', used for a story ending that is not purely happy but has a mix of sadness and hope, common in film and novel criticism.
wasei-eigo (Japanese-coined English), from bitter end
This movie has a bittersweet ending, leaving a deep aftertaste for the audience.
Her novels always have bittersweet endings.
Variant with a middle dot; less common but seen in some contexts.
Wasei-eigo from English 'bitter end', but used specifically for a bittersweet ending in stories, not the nautical or general English meaning.