das  Ende

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɛndə/

🏁 What does "das Ende" mean?

Das Ende (noun, neuter) generally refers to the point where something stops or concludes. It can relate to time, space, or a process.

• Temporal: The conclusion of a period or event (e.g., das Ende des Films - the end of the film, das Ende des Monats - the end of the month).
• Spatial: The outermost point or boundary of something (e.g., das Ende der Straße - the end of the street, das Ende der Schlange - the end of the queue/line).
• Figurative: The conclusion or result of a process or development (e.g., das Ende einer Diskussion - the end of a discussion, das Ende einer Beziehung - the end of a relationship).
• Part: It can also refer to the last piece or tip of something (e.g., das Ende eines Seils - the end of a rope).

⚠️ There are no other articles for "Ende" with different meanings. It is always das Ende.

🧐 Grammar of "das Ende" in Detail

Das Ende is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It typically follows weak declension, meaning its plural is formed by adding "-n" (die Enden). The genitive singular is des Endes.

📝 Application Examples

1. Nominative: Das Ende des Films war überraschend. (The end of the film was surprising.)
2. Genitive: Die Musik des Endes war sehr dramatisch. (The music of the end was very dramatic.)
3. Dative: Wir nähern uns dem Ende des Projekts. (We are approaching the end of the project.)
4. Accusative: Ich sehe das Ende des Tunnels. (I see the end of the tunnel.)
5. Plural: Die beiden Enden des Seils sind ausgefranst. (Both ends of the rope are frayed.)

💡 How to use "das Ende"?

Das Ende is a very common word. Here are some typical contexts and set phrases:

• Time references: "am Ende des Tages" (at the end of the day), "Ende nächster Woche" (at the end of next week), "gegen Ende des Jahres" (towards the end of the year).
• Conclusion of events: "Das Spiel geht zu Ende." (The game is coming to an end.), "Die Vorstellung fand ihr Ende." (The performance came to an end.)
• Spatial limits: "Wir wohnen am Ende der Sackgasse." (We live at the end of the cul-de-sac.), "Bis ans Ende der Welt." (To the end of the world.)
• Result/Consequence: "Am Ende zählt nur das Ergebnis." (In the end, only the result counts.)
• Set phrases:
  • "Ende gut, alles gut." (Proverb: All's well that ends well.)
  • "zu Ende sein/gehen" (to be over/finished or drawing to a close)
  • "ein jähes Ende finden" (to come to an abrupt end)
  • "etwas zu Ende bringen/führen" (to bring something to a conclusion)
  • "am Ende seiner Kräfte sein" (to be exhausted)

Comparison: Der Schluss is often synonymous but can sound more formal (e.g., der Schluss des Briefes - the conclusion of the letter). Der Abschluss often emphasizes a formal or ceremonial conclusion (e.g., der Schulabschluss - school graduation).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Ende"

Article Mnemonic (das): Think of das Finale or das Resultat. Both represent neutral concepts or results, much like das Ende often signifies a neutral conclusion or point. Das Ende is the neutral result.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you are waiting for something to finish, maybe a long meeting. You think, "When will it end?" The English word "end" sounds very similar to the German Ende and shares the same core meaning.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "das Ende"

🚨 Similar Words:

Die Ente sounds vaguely similar but means "duck" (the animal). The stress is also different.

😂 A Little Joke

DE: Fragt der Lehrer: "Was kommt nach dem Alphabet?"
Schüler: "Das Ende?"

EN: The teacher asks: "What comes after the alphabet?"
Student: "The end?"

✍️ Poem about "das Ende"

DE:
Jede Straße, jeder Pfad,
Jeder Film und jedes Rad,
Jede Reise, noch so weit,
Kennt die Endlichkeit der Zeit.
Mal ein Punkt, mal nur ein Strich,
Das Ende wartet, sicherlich.
Doch oft ist es, man glaubt es kaum,
Nur Platz für einen neuen Traum.

EN Translation:
Every street, every path,
Every film and every wheel's wrath,
Every journey, ne'er so wide,
Knows the finiteness of time's tide.
Sometimes a dot, sometimes a line,
The end awaits, a certain sign.
But often it is, hard to believe,
Just space for a new dream to weave.

❓ Riddle

DE:
Ich bin das Letzte, der Schlussakkord,
An jedem Seil, an jedem Ort.
Mal traurig, mal ersehnt, mal klar,
Was bin ich wohl? Es ist doch wahr!

EN:
I am the last thing, the final chord,
On every rope, at every ford (place).
Sometimes sad, sometimes yearned for, sometimes clear,
What am I? It's true, my dear!

Solution: Das Ende (The end)

➕ Other Information

Word Compounds: Das Ende is part of many compound words:

• Wochenende: das Ende der Woche (weekend)
• Lebensende: das Ende des Lebens (end of life)
• Endstation: die letzte Station (terminus, final stop)
• Endspurt: der letzte, beschleunigte Teil (final spurt/dash)
• Endeffekt: das schlussendliche Ergebnis (end effect, final result)
• Unendlich: ohne Ende (infinite, endless)

Etymology: The word Ende comes from the Old High German enti, which originally meant "forehead" or "front side," but evolved to mean "border, conclusion".