Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Finish" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "finish", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
終わる
おわる (owaru)
N4 / 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 終わる and 終える.
In Japanese, 終わる (おわる (owaru)) is typically associated with "to finish, to end (intransitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Intransitive verb. Used for things that finish by themselves or a process ending. 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 "終わる"
仕事は5時に終わります。
Work finishes 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: "仕事は5時に終わります。" (Meaning: "Work finishes at 5 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "終わる" fits here because it means "to finish, to end (intransitive)" in the context of: "Work finishes at 5 o'clock.". "終える" represents "to finish, to complete (transitive)".