Definitions

zhōng (verb) end; finish

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 终, historically represented in its traditional form as 終, finds its etymological origin in the imagery of a silk thread reaching its conclusion, a concept embedded within its structure through the silk radical 糸 combined with the element 冬, which inherently suggests an ending as it represents the final season of the year. This composition facilitated a gradual shift in meaning from a literal physical terminus to a broader application for any process of completion or cessation, and it later absorbed more abstract applications such as signifying death, understood as the ultimate end. Throughout its development, the character's core idea of finality has been preserved within its structural components, allowing its conceptual range to expand while retaining its foundational reference to conclusion.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

比赛于结束了。

Bǐsài zhōngyú jiéshù le.

The game finally ended.

点就在前面。

Zhōngdiǎn jiù zài qiánmiàn.

The finish line is just ahead.

他获得了胜利。

Zuìzhōng tā huòdé le shènglì.

Ultimately, he achieved victory.

学习是身的事情。

Xuéxí shì zhōngshēn de shìqíng.

Learning is a lifelong matter.

他们止了合作。

Tāmen zhōngzhǐ le hézuò.

They terminated the cooperation.

究会明白的。

Tā zhōngjiū huì míngbái de.

He will understand after all.

这里年积雪。

Zhèlǐ zhōngnián jīxuě.

It snows here all year round.

经过多次尝试,实验于取得了成功。

Jīngguò duōcì chángshì, shíyàn zhōngyú qǔdé le chénggōng.

After many attempts, the experiment finally achieved success.