1.
period; full stop (punctuation)
The punctuation mark (.) used to end a sentence, primarily in Western-language contexts. In Japanese typography, the equivalent is the 句点 (くてん).
文の終わりに終止符を打つ。
Put a period at the end of a sentence.
英語では文末にピリオドという終止符を使う。
In English, a period is used at the end of a sentence.
終止符の位置が正しいか確認してください。
Please check whether the period is in the correct position.
2.
end; conclusion; a final stop
Used figuratively to mean putting a definitive end to something, such as a relationship, conflict, or era. Almost always appears in the phrase 終止符を打つ.
長い争いに終止符を打った。
They put an end to the long dispute.
この判決で事件に終止符が打たれた。
This ruling brought the case to a close.
二人の関係に終止符を打つ決心をした。
I made up my mind to put an end to our relationship.
Composed of 終止 (ending, termination) + 符 (mark, sign).
LITERAL SENSE:
Refers to a period/full stop (.) in Western-language punctuation. The Japanese equivalent is 句点 (。).
FIGURATIVE SENSE:
Much more commonly used in the figurative sense of "putting a definitive end to something." Almost always appears in the set expression 終止符を打つ.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 終止符を打つ: to put an end to; to bring to a close
- 終止符が打たれる: to be brought to an end (passive)
- 〜に終止符を打つ: to put an end to 〜
COMMON CONTEXTS:
- 争いに終止符を打つ: to end a dispute
- 関係に終止符を打つ: to end a relationship
- 時代に終止符を打つ: to bring an era to a close