Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Finish" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "finish", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
終わります
おわります (owarimasu)
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 終わります and 終える.
In Japanese, 終わります (おわります (owarimasu)) is typically associated with "to finish, to end" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Used for events, tasks, or time periods coming to an end. Often paired with が..
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 "終わります"
授業は3時に終わります。
The class finishes at 3 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: "授業は3時に ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "The class finishes at 3 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "終わります" fits here because it means "to finish, to end" in the context of: "The class finishes at 3 o'clock.". "終える" represents "to finish, to complete (transitive)".