1.
to come to an end; to draw to a close; to bring the curtain down on
To bring something to its conclusion, especially something that has been ongoing for a significant time. A theatrical metaphor meaning 'to close the curtain.' Often used for events, eras, careers, or performances.
大会は無事に幕を閉じた。
The tournament came to a successful close.
長い歴史に幕を閉じる老舗が増えている。
More and more long-established shops are closing their doors after years of history.
選手は引退試合で輝かしいキャリアに幕を閉じた。
The athlete brought the curtain down on a brilliant career with a retirement match.
USAGE:
A literary and somewhat formal expression using the theatrical metaphor of closing a curtain. It conveys a sense of finality and significance, often used for important events or long-running activities coming to their natural end.
The opposite expression is 幕を開ける (to open the curtain / to begin).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 歴史に幕を閉じる (to end a chapter of history)
- 大会の幕を閉じる (to bring a tournament to a close)
- 華々しく幕を閉じる (to end brilliantly)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 終わりを迎える: to reach an end — more neutral, less dramatic
- 幕を下ろす: to lower the curtain — similar theatrical metaphor, interchangeable in many cases