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 終わる and 〜終わる.
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 "終わる"
仕事は5時に終わります。
Work finishes at 5 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: "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.". "〜終わる" represents "to finish doing; to end".