Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "終わります", "おわる", "終わる", "済む"
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
終わる
おわる (owaru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
済む
すむ (sumu)
N4 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "finish" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "終わります", "おわる", "終わる", "済む" 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.
- 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..
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 "終わる"
仕事は5時に終わります。
Work finishes at 5 o'clock.
Context for "済む"
今日の仕事はもう済んだ。
Today's work is already finished.
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.".