Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "終わります" vs "切ります"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
終わります
おわります (owarimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
切ります
きります (kirimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both 終わります and 切ります are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
終わります (おわります (owarimasu)) represents "to finish, to end" (Level: N5) and typically represents Intransitive verb. Used for events, tasks, or time periods coming to an end. Often paired with が..
On the other hand, 切ります (きります (kirimasu)) translates to "to cut, to sever" (Level: N5) and is used for Transitive verb. Used for cutting with a sharp object, or for ending a phone call.. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "終わります"
授業は3時に終わります。
The class finishes at 3 o'clock.
Bilingual Sentence for "切ります"
はさみで紙を切ります。
I cut the paper with scissors.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "授業は3時に ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "The class finishes at 3 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "終わります" fits here because it represents "to finish, to end" in the context: "The class finishes at 3 o'clock.".