終焉(しゅうえん)

しゅうえん
noun
end, demise, termination
formalwrittenliterary
1. end, demise, termination, passing
The final end of something significant — a life, an era, or a long-running phenomenon. A literary and somewhat solemn word that conveys finality and gravity.
帝国(ていこく)の終焉(しゅうえん)を迎(むか)えた。
The empire met its end.
この事件(じけん)が長(なが)い平和(へいわ)の時代(じだい)の終焉(しゅうえん)を告(つ)げた。
This incident heralded the end of the long era of peace.
彼(かれ)は故郷(こきょう)の家(いえ)で静(しず)かに終焉(しゅうえん)の時(とき)を迎(むか)えた。
He quietly met the end of his days at his family home in his hometown.

Usage

A literary and formal word used for weighty, significant endings. Not used for everyday endings like the end of a meeting or a TV show. Appropriate for the fall of civilizations, the end of eras, or someone's death (in a dignified register).

Similar words

Common collocations

  • 終焉(しゅうえん)を迎(むか)える: to meet one's end
  • 終焉(しゅうえん)を告(つ)げる: to herald the end
  • 終焉(しゅうえん)の地(ち): the place where one met their end
  • 終焉(しゅうえん)の時(とき): the time of one's end

Related Words

Synonym: 終結(しゅうけつ) (conclusion (wars, negotiations))
Synonym: 滅亡(めつぼう) (downfall, destruction)
Compare: 終(お)わり (end)
Compare: 最期(さいご) (one's final moments, death)
general
Added 2026.2.27 14:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13839_shuuen