Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "終わる", "終了", "終焉", "脚韻"
All represent the core concept "end", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
終わる
おわる (owaru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
終了
しゅうりょう (shūryō)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
終焉
しゅうえん (shūen)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
脚韻
きゃくいん (kyakuin)
C2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "end" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "終わる", "終了", "終焉", "脚韻" based on context.
- 終わる (おわる (owaru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to end, to finish (intransitive)" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used when something comes to an end on its own. The transitive form is 終える.
- 終了 (しゅうりょう (shūryō) - Level: N3): Maps to "end; close; completion" and is used when Often used for events, meetings, projects, or formal procedures. Can be a noun.
- 終焉 (しゅうえん (shūen) - Level: N2): Maps to "end, demise, death, final act" and is used when Often used for the end of something significant, an era, a trend, or life itself. Has a somewhat formal or literary tone, can sound dramatic. More abstract than 終局..
- 脚韻 (きゃくいん (kyakuin) - Level: C2): Maps to "end rhyme" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "終わる"
授業は5時に終わります。
The class ends at 5 o'clock.
Context for "終了"
試験時間は10時に終了します。
The exam time will end at 10 AM.
Context for "終焉"
その王朝は悲劇的な終焉を迎えた。
That dynasty met a tragic end.
Context for "脚韻"
私は脚韻に興味があります。
I am interested in end rhyme.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "授業は5時に終わります。" (Meaning: "The class ends at 5 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "終わる" is correct here because it represents "to end, to finish (intransitive)" in the context: "The class ends at 5 o'clock.".