Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "終わります", "おわる", "終える", "済む", "仕上げる"
All represent the core concept "finish", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
終わります
おわります (owarimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
おわる
おわる (owaru)
N5 / 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
仕上げる
しあげる (shiageru)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "finish" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "終わります", "おわる", "終える", "済む", "仕上げる" based on context.
- 終わります (おわります (owarimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to finish, to end" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used for events, tasks, or time periods coming to an end. Often paired with が..
- 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..
- 仕上げる (しあげる (shiageru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to finish; to complete; to perfect (transitive)" and is used when 作業や作品を完全に終わらせる、または最後の仕上げをする、という能動的な行為を表す他動詞です。重点は「完成させる行為」にあります。.
Context for "終わります"
授業は3時に終わります。
The class finishes at 3 o'clock.
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 "仕上げる"
今夜までにレポートを仕上げなければならない。
I have to finish the report by tonight.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "授業は3時に ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "The class finishes at 3 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "終わります" is correct here because it represents "to finish, to end" in the context: "The class finishes at 3 o'clock.".