Meaning and Usage
"終わり" (おわり) means "end" or "conclusion" and is commonly used to indicate the finishing point of an event, activity, or period of time. It can refer to both concrete endings, like the end of a movie or workday, and abstract endings, such as the conclusion of a story or a phase in life.
Common Collocations
- 終わりに (おわりに): "at the end of" — used to specify the time or moment something finishes.
- 終わりを告げる (おわりをつげる): "to announce the end" — often used in formal or literary contexts.
- 終わりが見える (おわりがみえる): "to see the end" — used when the conclusion or resolution is approaching.
Usage Notes
"終わり" is a noun and often appears with particles like に or が. It can be used in casual and formal contexts but is generally neutral in politeness. Learners sometimes confuse "終わり" with the verb "終わる" (to end). Remember that "終わり" is the noun form, so it needs appropriate particles or verbs to form sentences.
Common Mistake
Avoid using "終わり" alone as a verb. For example, instead of saying "映画が終わり," say "映画が終わる" (the movie ends) or "映画の終わり" (the end of the movie).