Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "End" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "end", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
終わる
おわる (owaru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
終わり
おわり (owari)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "end" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 終わる and 終わり.
In Japanese, 終わる (おわる (owaru)) is typically associated with "to end, to finish (intransitive)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Used when something comes to an end on its own. The transitive form is 終える.
On the other hand, 終わり (おわり (owari)) maps to "end, finish" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents The noun form of 終わる. A literal translation of "end" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "終わる"
授業は5時に終わります。
The class ends at 5 o'clock.
Bilingual Context for "終わり"
この本の終わりはとても感動的でした。
The end of this book was very moving.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "授業は5時に終わります。" (Meaning: "The class ends at 5 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "終わる" fits here because it means "to end, to finish (intransitive)" in the context of: "The class ends at 5 o'clock.". "終わり" represents "end, finish".