闭幕 (bì mù) literally means 'to close the curtain' — 闭 (bì) means 'to close' or 'to shut', and 幕 (mù) means 'curtain' or 'screen'. Together, they form a compound verb meaning 'to close (an event)', especially formal gatherings such as conferences, exhibitions, festivals, or sports games. The term evokes the theatrical image of drawing the curtain at the end of a performance, symbolizing conclusion and finality.

This word is used almost exclusively in formal, institutional, or ceremonial contexts — you won’t use it for closing a shop or ending a casual meeting. It often appears in official announcements, news headlines, or speeches, and is frequently paired with nouns like 仪式 (yíshì, ceremony), 式 (shì, -ceremony), or 大会 (dàhuì, congress). While grammatically a verb, 闭幕 can also function as a noun in phrases like 闭幕式 (bìmùshì, closing ceremony).