Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 大團圓 / 大团圆 | dàtuányuán |
| 大團圓結局 / 大团圆结局 | dàtuányuán jiéjú |
| 好結局 / 好结局 | hǎojiéjú |
A happy ending refers to a conclusion to a story where all plot loose ends are tied up and the main characters are left in a state of contentment or happiness. You may also use 皆大欢喜 to describe a situation where the outcome is positive and everyone is happy.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 大團圓 literally means 'great reunion' or 'grand reunion'.
Which one should you use?
While 大團圓 refers to the concept of a reunion, adding 結局 (meaning 'ending/conclusion') to create 大團圓結局 / 大团圆结局 makes it specifically refer to the conclusion of a story. In contrast, 好結局 / 好结局 is a more generic way to say 'good ending', whereas 大團圓 implies a specific trope where characters are reunited and all conflicts are resolved joyfully.
How do you pronounce it?
dàtuányuán
When do people say it?
The term 大團圓 is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese opera and storytelling, where a 'grand reunion' of characters is a standard expected resolution.
Did you know?
- The character 圓 in 大團圓 refers to a circle, symbolizing perfection and wholeness in Chinese culture.
- While 大團圓 is used for stories, the same root word 團圓 is used to describe the essential goal of the Mid-Autumn Festival, where families strive to be physically together.
- Unlike Western 'happy endings' which often focus on a romantic couple, a 大團圓 ending typically requires the entire extended family or social group to be reconciled.
Examples in context
- 真是好结局 (zhēn shì hǎo jié jú)What a good ending!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy ending” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
