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
終える
おえる (oeru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "finish" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between おわる and 終える.
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, 終える (おえる (oeru)) maps to "to finish, to complete (transitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A transitive verb, meaning 'to finish something'. Similar to the intransitive 終わる. 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 "終える"
宿題を終えてから遊びに行きます。
I will go play after finishing my homework.
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.". "終える" represents "to finish, to complete (transitive)".