Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "おわる", "終わる", "終える", "済む", "済ませる"
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
終わる
おわる (owaru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
終える
おえる (oeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
済む
すむ (sumu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
済ませる
すませる (sumaseru)
N3 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "finish" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "おわる", "終わる", "終える", "済む", "済ませる" 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.
- 終わる (おわる (owaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to finish, to end (intransitive)" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used for things that finish by themselves or a process ending. 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」.
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 "終わる"
仕事は5時に終わります。
Work finishes 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.
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.".