Related words 終わり is the everyday, general word for 'end', while 終末 is more formal and often implies a definitive final stage (e.g. of civilization or life).
結末 refers to the outcome or resolution of a story or sequence of events, while 終末 focuses on the final ending point itself.
終末 means 'end' or 'final period' in a general sense, whereas 世紀末 specifically denotes the end of a century or an apocalyptic end-of-the-world scenario.
終末 emphasizes the final phase or ending of a period (e.g. the world), while 終焉 more directly implies death or the definitive close of something.
Don't confuse with 週末 is a homophone meaning 'weekend' (written with 週 ), easily confused with 終末 'end' (written with 終 ).
終末 usually means the end of the world or an ultimate, cataclysmic end, while 結末 is the neutral conclusion of a story or matter.
Word family· 10 final stage; terminal stage
eschatology; apocalypticism; view of the end times
eschatology; doomsday theory; apocalypticism
nerve ending
terminal care; end-of-life care
Show 5 more Show fewer Etymology A Sino-Japanese compound: 終 means 'end' or 'finish', and 末 means 'end', 'tip', or 'last part'. Together they express the final end or closing stage.
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