Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Finish" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "finish", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
終える
おえる (oeru)
N4 / 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 終える and 仕上げる.
In Japanese, 終える (おえる (oeru)) is typically associated with "to finish, to complete (transitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A transitive verb, meaning 'to finish something'. Similar to the intransitive 終わる.
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 "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.
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: "宿題を終えてから遊びに行きます。" (Meaning: "I will go play after finishing my homework.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "終える" fits here because it means "to finish, to complete (transitive)" in the context of: "I will go play after finishing my homework.". "仕上げる" represents "to finish; to complete; to perfect (transitive)".