Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Finish" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "finish", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
済ませる
すませる (sumaseru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
〜終わる
〜おわる (owaru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "finish" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 済ませる and 〜終わる.
In Japanese, 済ませる (すませる (sumaseru)) is typically associated with "to finish, to get done, to conclude" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Transitive verb. Often used for completing tasks, duties, or errands. 「用事を済ませる」.
On the other hand, 〜終わる (〜おわる (owaru)) maps to "to finish doing; to end" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Indicates the completion or end of an action or event. It is attached to the masu-stem. A literal translation of "finish" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "済ませる"
宿題を早く済ませて遊びに行った。
I finished my homework quickly and went out to play.
Bilingual Context for "〜終わる"
仕事が終わり次第、帰ります。
I will go home as soon as I finish work.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "宿題を早く済ませて遊びに行った。" (Meaning: "I finished my homework quickly and went out to play.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "済ませる" fits here because it means "to finish, to get done, to conclude" in the context of: "I finished my homework quickly and went out to play.". "〜終わる" represents "to finish doing; to end".