The Meaning of shūten [終点] In Japanese

終点
しゅうてん
Romaji: shūten N3

What does 終点 mean?

Translation and Meaning

terminal, end point, terminus

Definition

What does 終点 mean? It denotes the final point on a route, line, or sequence; used for the last stop of a transit line or the ultimate endpoint of a journey, process, or plan.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • terminus of a transit line or route, where service ends — shūten
  • the final point within a sequence, such as the last stage of a project or story — shūten
  • figurative end point or limit, the point beyond which something cannot proceed — shūten

Etymology

終 (end, finish) and 点 (point); combined they yield 終点, pronounced shūten using on-yomi readings

Composition

  • 終: end, finish; used to denote termination
  • 点: point, dot; marks a precise position
  • Combined: 終点 refers to the final position or moment on a line, route, or sequence

Usage

Used in transportation signage and timetables to mark the final stop of a line, in planning to denote the endpoint of a phase, and in diagrams or technical writing to indicate where a sequence concludes; examples include この路線の終点 (Kono rosen no shuuten) and プロジェクトの終点を設定する (Purojekuto no shuuten o settei suru).
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: End is the focal point; picture the line ending at a pin on a map to recall the concept

Variations

  • 終着点 (しゅうちゃくてん, shuuchakuten) — terminus for transit lines
  • 終端 (しゅうたん, shuutan) — terminal in technical contexts
  • 末端 (まつたん, matsutan) — far end or tip of a line

Example Phrases

  • 今日は終点で友達と待ち合わせして新しいカフェへ行った。
    Kyō wa shūten de tomodachi to machiawase shite atarashii kafe e itta.
    Today I met up with a friend at the terminus and went to a new cafe.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (Kyō wa) – today
    • 終点で (Shūten de) – at the terminus
    • 友達と (Tomodachi to) – with a friend
    • 待ち合わせして (Machiawase shite) – met up
    • 新しい (Atarashii) – new
    • カフェへ (Kafe e) – to a cafe
    • 行った (Itta) – went
    Locational usage: 「終点」で marks the place; 「待ち合わせ」して connects meeting to the next action.
終点