Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "おわる", "終える", "済む", "済ませる", "〜終わる"
All represent the core concept "finish", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
おわる
おわる (owaru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
終える
おえる (oeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
済む
すむ (sumu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
済ませる
すませる (sumaseru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
〜終わる
〜おわる (owaru)
N3 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "finish" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "おわる", "終える", "済む", "済ませる", "〜終わる" based on context.
- おわる (おわる (owaru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to finish, to end (intransitive)" and is used when Intransitive verb. Something finishes by itself. The transitive form is 「終える.
- 終える (おえる (oeru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to finish, to complete (transitive)" and is used when A transitive verb, meaning 'to finish something'. Similar to the intransitive 終わる.
- 済む (すむ (sumu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to finish, to be completed, to be settled; to suffice" and is used when This verb often indicates that a task or event has come to an end or been completed. It can also mean that a problem has been resolved, or that something is sufficient/enough for a purpose..
- 済ませる (すませる (sumaseru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to finish, to get done, to conclude" and is used when Transitive verb. Often used for completing tasks, duties, or errands. 「用事を済ませる」.
- 〜終わる (〜おわる (owaru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to finish doing; to end" and is used when Indicates the completion or end of an action or event. It is attached to the masu-stem.
Context for "おわる"
会議は5時に終わります。
The meeting ends at 5 o'clock.
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.
Context for "済む"
今日の仕事はもう済んだ。
Today's work is already finished.
Context for "済ませる"
宿題を早く済ませて遊びに行った。
I finished my homework quickly and went out to play.
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.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会議は5時に終わります。" (Meaning: "The meeting ends at 5 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "おわる" is correct here because it represents "to finish, to end (intransitive)" in the context: "The meeting ends at 5 o'clock.".