The word 终结 is formed by combining two characters that each contribute a layer of meaning about conclusion. 终 (zhōng) fundamentally means "end" or "terminus", conveying the sense of a final point. 结 (jié) originally means "to knot" or "to tie", evoking the idea of binding something together to complete it. When joined, they create a compound where the "knot" (结) is specifically the "final" one (终), metaphorically forming the concept of a definitive ending, as in tying the final knot to complete and close something irrevocably.