Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Finish" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "finish", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
おわる
おわる (owaru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
仕上げる
しあげる (shiageru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "finish" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between おわる and 仕上げる.
In Japanese, おわる (おわる (owaru)) is typically associated with "to finish, to end (intransitive)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Something finishes by itself. The transitive form is 「終える.
On the other hand, 仕上げる (しあげる (shiageru)) maps to "to finish; to complete; to perfect (transitive)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 作業や作品を完全に終わらせる、または最後の仕上げをする、という能動的な行為を表す他動詞です。重点は「完成させる行為」にあります。. A literal translation of "finish" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "おわる"
会議は5時に終わります。
The meeting ends at 5 o'clock.
Bilingual Context for "仕上げる"
今夜までにレポートを仕上げなければならない。
I have to finish the report by tonight.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会議は5時に終わります。" (Meaning: "The meeting ends at 5 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "おわる" fits here because it means "to finish, to end (intransitive)" in the context of: "The meeting ends at 5 o'clock.". "仕上げる" represents "to finish; to complete; to perfect (transitive)".