Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "終わります", "おわる", "終わる", "終える", "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
終える
おえる (oeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
済む
すむ (sumu)
N4 / 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", "終わる", "終える", "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.
- 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..
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 "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.
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.".