“To finish” in Japanese is 終わる (おわる), pronounced owaru.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To end or be finished. To finish something yourself, use 終える or 〜終わる: 読み終わる, finish reading.
Example sentences
- 仕事は六時に終わります。しごとはろくじにおわります。Work finishes at six.
- 宿題が終わりました。しゅくだいがおわりました。My homework is done.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 終わる. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 終わる おわる | finish |
| Polite present | 終わります おわります | finish |
| Polite negative | 終わりません おわりません | don’t finish |
| Polite past | 終わりました おわりました | past of “finish” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 終わらない おわらない | don’t finish (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 終わった おわった | past of “finish” (casual) |
| て-form | 終わって おわって | finish and… / please finish (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 終わりたい おわりたい | want to finish |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to finish in Japanese?
To finish in Japanese is 終わる (おわる), pronounced “owaru”.
How do you write to finish in Japanese?
It's written 終わる with kanji, or おわる in hiragana. Both are read owaru.
Is 終わる on the JLPT?
Yes. 終わる (owaru) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.