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
〜終わる
〜おわる (owaru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "finish" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 終わります and 〜終わる.
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 "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: "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.". "〜終わる" represents "to finish doing; to end".