01
das Ende
end
The last part or final point of something temporal, such as a film, a book, or an event.
example
Das Ende des Buches hat mich sehr überrascht.
The end of the book really surprised me.
das Ende
end
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Part of compounds
'Ende' (end) is a common component of compound nouns. When you see '-ende' at the end of a word, it often refers to the final point of something, for example in 'Wochenende' (weekend) or 'Jahresende' (end of the year).
EXAMPLE
Ich freue mich schon auf das Wochenende.
I'm already looking forward to the weekend.
Context clue: time & place
The context tells you whether a temporal or spatial end is meant. Words like 'Film' (film), 'Buch' (book), or 'Tag' (day) point to time, while 'Straße' (street), 'Flur' (hallway), or 'Garten' (garden) point to a place.
EXAMPLE
Am Ende der Straße steht eine alte Eiche.
At the end of the street stands an old oak tree.
Important prepositions
The prepositions used with 'Ende' (end) are important. 'Am Ende' (at the end / in the end) describes the final point, 'zum Ende' (toward the end) describes movement toward it, and 'bis zum Ende' (until the end) emphasizes duration.
EXAMPLE
Am Ende des Monats ist mein Geld immer alle.
At the end of the month, my money is always gone.
Fixed expression
The expression 'am Ende' (in the end) can mean 'ultimately' or 'finally' and often stands at the beginning of the sentence. It evaluates a situation in retrospect.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben lange diskutiert, aber am Ende haben wir uns geeinigt.
We discussed it for a long time, but in the end we reached an agreement.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'zu Ende sein' (to be over) or 'zu Ende gehen' (to come to an end) is a fixed unit and means 'to be over' or 'to end'. The subject is the thing that is ending.
EXAMPLE
Der Urlaub ist leider schon zu Ende.
Unfortunately, the vacation is already over.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ohne Ende' (endless / without end) is used like an adverb and means 'a great deal' or 'nonstop'. It usually comes after the noun it refers to.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Feier gab es Pizza ohne Ende.
There was endless pizza at the celebration.
Register: euphemism
When 'das Ende' (the end) is used for death, this is a formal and indirect (euphemistic) way of speaking. It is rarely used in everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Nach langer Krankheit kam sein Ende friedlich im Schlaf.
After a long illness, his end came peacefully in his sleep.
Compare with
Ende vs Kopf
head
'das Ende' and 'der Kopf' can both refer to a specific part of an object or a stretch of something. 'Ende' is general: it means the outermost point or boundary of something. 'Kopf' is used only for certain things to mean the front, upper, or thickened part, for example of a nail, a bed, or a snake. The words can be confused because a 'Kopf' is sometimes located at an end. But not every end is a head. 'Ende' is more general, while 'Kopf' only fits when this special part is meant.
Ende
Am Ende der Straße steht ein kleines gelbes Haus.
At the end of the street, there is a small yellow house.
Kopf
Der Kopf des Nagels ist zu klein für diesen Hammer.
The head of the nail is too small for this hammer.
In real life
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