• 月末げつまつ — end of the month
• 年末ねんまつ — year-end
• 週末しゅうまつ — weekend
• 期末きまつ — end of a term
• 末すえっ子こ — youngest child
• 始末しまつ — dealing with / settlement
• 末永すえながく — forever / for a long time

末 looks similar to 本ほん but with the upper line placed higher. While 本 means “origin / base,” 末 refers to the “tip / end.”

Its usage extends from physical ends (tip of a branch) to time expressions (year-end, weekend) and family roles (youngest child).

年末ねんまつは 忙いそがしいです。
The end of the year is busy.

週末しゅうまつに 旅行りょこうします。
I will travel on the weekend.