How to say "ending" in Japanese

• 終わりおわりJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe general, all-purpose word for the end or close of something — a day, a story, an event. When you simply mean that something is finishing, this is usually the word you want.
  それは授業じゅぎょうの終おわりだった。↗

  That was the end of the class.
• エンディングCommon
  nounThe loanword for the ending of a film, drama, game or similar work, especially as a titled or named section such as the ending credits or theme. Not used for ordinary everyday ends.
  僕ぼくはエンディングが気きに入はいらなかったな。↗

  Oh, I didn't like the ending.
• エンドCommon
  nounA loanword for 'end' or 'ending', often in fixed expressions and titles. For everyday use in sentences, 終わり is normally the safer choice.
• むすびJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounAn ending or conclusion in the sense of something that ties or brings a piece of writing or speech to a close. It carries the nuance of a binding, rounded-off conclusion rather than a mere stop.
• よせCommon
  nounA technical term from Go and similar board games meaning the end game or last stage of play. This is seldom the word you want for 'ending' in general; use it only in that game context.

Use 「終わり」 for the general end of something, 「エンディング」 or 「エンド」 for the ending of films, games and stories, 「むすび」 for a conclusion that ties things together, and 「よせ」 only for the endgame of Go or shogi.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 終わりおわりend
• エンディングending
• エンドend
• むすびending
• よせyose
• 終期しゅうきending
• 終決しゅうけつending
• じまいending
• 大団円だいだんえんdenouement
• 大円団だいえんだんdenouement
• 糸冬おわりend
• 詰め手つめてcheckmate move
• 清算せいさんending (a relationship)
• 幕切れまくぎれend
• オメガend
• 括りくくりconclusion