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【No. 1520】Makuhiki (幕引き - Closing a Curtain)

Feb 15, 2019 22:07
Makuhiki

The academic conference in which I am participating is approaching makuhiki (幕引き).

Makihiki means that things or events end.

Since maku (幕) means "curtain" and hiki (引き) means "to draw," the literal meaning of the combination is "to draw a curtain" or "to lower a curtain."

Originally, this term meant to lower the curtain of a play to end it, or a person who had a role of that.

From that, its meaning was extended, and it has been used to not only plays but also various things or events.
幕引き

現在参加している学会も、間もなく「幕引き」です。

「幕引き」とは、物事が終りを迎えることを意味する言葉です。

「幕」は "curtain"、「引き」は "to draw" を意味するので、「幕引き」の文字どおりの意味は "to draw a curtain" や "to lower a curtain" となります。

もともとこの言葉は、芝居などで幕を引いて終わらせることや、その役割の人のことを意味していました。

後に、意味が広がり、芝居だけでなくさまざまな物事に対しても使われるようになったというわけです。

Corrections (2)

No. 1 Eric
  • Makuhiki (幕引き - Closing a Curtain)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • The academic conference in which I am participating is approaching 'makuhiki' (幕引き).
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • 'Makihiki' means that things or events end.
  • 'Makihiki' refers to things or events ending.

    I think this sounds more natural to say it this way.

  • Since 'maku' (幕) means "curtain" and 'hiki' (引き) means "to draw," the literal meaning of the combination is "to draw a curtain" or "to lower a curtain."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Originally, this term meant to lower the curtain of a play to end it, or a person who had a role of that.
  • Originally, this term meant to lower the curtain of a play to end it, or a person who had a role of doing that.
  • From that, its meaning was extended, and it has been used to not only plays but also various things or events.
  • From that, its meaning was extended, and it has been used not only for plays, but also for various things or events.
Toru
Thank you so much for the correction! :)
No. 2 tony
  • Makuhiki (幕引き - Closing a Curtain)
  • Makuhiki (幕引き - Closing a Curtain)

    Other possible translations of 幕引き are "Drawing a Curtain" and "Pulling a Curtain." The verb "draw" is very commonly used with curtains.

  • The academic conference in which I am participating is approaching 'makuhiki' (幕引き).
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • 'Makihiki' means that things or events end.
  • 'Makuhiki' means the end of an event.
  • Originally, this term meant to lower the curtain of a play to end it, or a person who had a role of that.
  • Originally, this term meant to lower the curtain of a play to end it, or a person who had the role of doing that.
  • From that, its meaning was extended, and it has been used to not only plays but also various things or events.
  • From that, its meaning was extended, and it has been used not only for plays but also various things or events. [Alternative: ... but also various public events and social occasions.]

    "Things" is a bit vague in this sentence.

"Lowering a curtain" has the same idiomatic meaning in English.

Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post and letting me know the fact! :)
tony
いいえ、どういたしまして。

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