終 kanji stroke order 終 japanese kanji writing 終 kanji diagram-kanji lookup

しゅうりょう
終了
noun, 'suru' verb
end; close; termination
しじゅう
始終
adverb, noun
continuously; from beginning to end; from first to last
つい
終
Most common form: 竟
noun, 'no' adjective
1. end; final
2. end of life; death
お
終
わる
'ru' godan verb, intransitive verb, auxiliary verb
to finish; to end; to close  (also written 了る, 卒る, etc.)
おわりね
終値
Most common form: 終わり値
noun
closing price (e.g. stock exchange)

終 kanji.jpg

1. Kanji Breakdown: 終

This kanji represents the concept of an end or conclusion, forming a natural pair with "始" (beginning).

  • Meaning: End, close, conclusion; to end, to finish, to terminate.

  • Reading:

    • Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): シュウ (shuu)

    • Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): お（わる） (o(waru)), お（える） (o(eru))

The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). It consists of two parts:

  • Left (糸): This is the "thread" radical (いとへん).

  • Right (冬): This means "winter."

The original meaning comes from the imagery of "tying a knot at the end of a thread" (糸) to finish a weaving task, a process that is completed as the year comes to an end in "winter" (冬). Thus, the character vividly depicts the idea of bringing something to a deliberate and final conclusion.

2. Stroke Order and Writing

Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "終" has 11 strokes.

Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:

Total Strokes: 11

  1. Start with the left radical "糸" (thread radical):

  2. Then, write the right part "冬":

Key Writing Tips:

  • Write from left to right, top to bottom.

  • The left radical "糸" is narrow. Pay attention to the three small dots at the bottom.

  • The right part "冬" is wider. The final two dots (strokes 10 & 11) are crucial and represent falling snow, signaling the end of the year.

  • The overall character should feel balanced and "closed."

3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences

Here are some common words using "終" and how to use them in sentences.

Vocabulary

  1. 終わる (おわる, owaru)

    • Meaning: To end, to finish (an intransitive verb).

    • Example: 授業は3時に終わります。

    • Romaji: Jugyō wa san-ji ni owarimasu.

    • English: Class ends at 3 o'clock.

  2. 終える (おえる, oeru)

    • Meaning: To finish (something), to complete (a transitive verb).

    • Example: やっと仕事を終えた。

    • Romaji: Yatto shigoto o oeta.

    • English: I finally finished my work.

  3. 最終 (さいしゅう, saishuu)

    • Meaning: Last, final, ultimate.

    • Example: これが最終のチャンスです。

    • Romaji: Kore ga saishuu no chansu desu.

    • English: This is the final chance.

  4. 終点 (しゅうてん, shuuten)

    • Meaning: Terminal, terminus, final stop.

    • Example: このバスの終点はどこですか。

    • Romaji: Kono basu no shuuten wa doko desu ka.

    • English: Where is the final stop for this bus?

  5. 終了 (しゅうりょう, shuuryou)

    • Meaning: End, close, termination (a formal noun).

    • Example: プログラムが終了しました。

    • Romaji: Puroguramu ga shuuryou shimashita.

    • English: The program has ended.

  6. 終日 (しゅうじつ, shuujitsu)

    • Meaning: All day, the whole day.

    • Example: 昨日は終日家にいました。

    • Romaji: Kinō wa shuujitsu ie ni imashita.

    • English: I was at home all day yesterday.

Summary

  • Kanji: 終

  • Core Meaning: End, Finish, Conclusion.

  • Readings: On'yomi シュウ (shuu), Kun'yomi おわる (owaru)

  • Stroke Order: 11 strokes. Remember it's composed of 糸 (thread) and 冬 (winter). Practice writing it step-by-step to master its form.

This kanji, together with "始," is essential for describing the timeline of any event or action. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you will be able to correctly write and use this fundamental character.


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