Dictionary — Entry No. 0629
끝
ggeut · noun
끝
ggeut
[GGEUT (rhymes with ‘foot,’ hard tense G)]
nounbeginner
Meaning
끝 literally means ‘end,’ ‘tip,’ or ‘edge’—the point at which something finishes or terminates. It carries deep emotional weight in Korean, often used to describe the conclusion of a relationship, a story, or a chapter of life. The word can also refer to the physical tip or edge of an object.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
끝 appears powerfully in K-Drama finales and breakup scenes, where characters declare ‘이게 끝이야’ (‘this is the end’). BTS’s ‘Spring Day’ and BIGBANG’s ‘Loser’ use 끝 to explore longing and closure. In the beloved K-Drama ‘Reply 1988,’ bittersweet 끝 moments defined the emotional core of the entire series.
Example Sentences
이 영화는 끝이 너무 슬퍼.
i yeonghwaneun ggeuti neomu seulpeo.
The ending of this movie is so sad. (끝 = the finale of the film)
우리 사이는 이게 끝이야.
uri saineun ige ggeut-iya.
This is the end for us. (Iconic K-Drama breakup line—brace yourself)
터널 끝에 빛이 있어.
teonel ggeute bichi isseo.
There’s light at the end of the tunnel. (끝 = physical tip/end of the tunnel)
⚠️ Don’t use ggeut when…
1) Don’t confuse 끝 (ggeut, end) with 글 (geul, writing/text)—they look similar in romanization but mean completely different things. 2) The final ㅌ consonant is often unreleased in natural speech, making it sound like ‘ggeu’ in fast conversation—don’t panic if native speakers seem to swallow the last sound.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988) — the bittersweet series finale uses 끝 to close the chapter on childhood friendships and first loves in nostalgic Ssangmundong.
- K-Pop: BTS — Spring Day (봄날)
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.