Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '끝' (kkeut) primarily means 'end' or 'finish.' It is used to indicate the conclusion of an event, a physical endpoint, or the final part of something.
Common Contexts
- Time or event ending: When a class, meeting, or any event finishes, '끝' is used to express that it has ended.
- Physical location: It can refer to the end of a road, street, or any physical boundary.
- Narrative or story: '끝' is often used to talk about the ending of movies, books, or stories.
Collocations and Patterns
- 끝나다 (to end): Used to describe something coming to an end.
- 끝내다 (to finish something): Used when someone finishes or completes something.
- 끝까지 (until the end): Expresses doing something until the very end.
- 길 끝 (end of the road): A common phrase for a physical endpoint.
Usage Notes
- '끝' is a noun and often combined with verbs like '나다' or '내다' to form verbs related to ending or finishing.
- It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Learners sometimes confuse '끝' with '마지막' (last), but '끝' emphasizes the point of conclusion, while '마지막' refers to the final item or person in a sequence.
Understanding '끝' helps learners express conclusions clearly in various situations, from daily conversations to storytelling.