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終わります

A2 verb #700 am häufigsten 7 Min. Lesezeit

終わります

owarimasu Top 700

At the A1 level, '終わります' (owarimasu) is taught as a basic verb to describe the end of daily activities. Learners use it to talk about time, such as when school or a job finishes. The focus is on the polite '-masu' form and the simple structure: '[Subject] wa [Time] ni owarimasu.' It is one of the first verbs used to practice the concept of time and schedules. Students learn it alongside its opposite, 'hajimarimasu' (to start). The goal at this level is simply to communicate that an event is over.

At the A2 level, learners begin to understand the intransitive nature of '終わります.' They learn that the thing ending is the subject of the sentence, usually marked with 'ga' or 'wa.' They also start using the past tense 'owarimashita' to report that they have finished a task or that an event has passed. A2 learners are introduced to the idea that 'owarimasu' is used for events (like movies or concerts) and time periods (like vacations or seasons). They also learn the casual form 'owaru' for use with friends.

At the B1 level, students learn to use 'owaru' as an auxiliary verb. By attaching it to the stem of another verb (e.g., 'yomi-owaru' - finish reading), they can express the completion of specific actions. They also begin to distinguish 'owarimasu' from more formal synonyms like 'shuryo suru' (to conclude) or 'kanryo suru' (to complete). B1 learners start to recognize the nuance of 'owarimasu' in abstract contexts, such as the end of a relationship or a historical era, and they can use it in more complex sentence structures involving conjunctions like 'kara' or 'node.'

At the B2 level, the focus shifts to the subtle nuances of transitivity. Learners explore the difference between the intransitive 'owaru' and the transitive 'oeru' (to bring to an end). They understand that 'owaru' is often used even when a person is the one finishing the task, as it sounds more natural in many contexts. B2 learners can use 'owarimasu' in formal business settings, such as concluding a presentation or a formal email, and they are comfortable with its various conjugations, including the potential and passive forms, though these are less common.

At the C1 level, learners master the idiomatic and literary uses of 'owaru.' They understand how the word functions in classical or highly formal Japanese, and they can appreciate the emotional weight it carries in literature (e.g., the 'end' of a life or a dream). They can use 'owarimasu' to discuss complex societal trends, such as the end of an economic boom. C1 learners also understand the pragmatic use of the word in social engineering—how ending a conversation or meeting with 'owarimasu' maintains social harmony and 'wa' (harmony).

At the C2 level, the learner has a native-like grasp of 'owarimasu.' They can distinguish between 'owaru,' 'sumu,' 'kanketsu suru,' and 'tozuru' with precision. They can use the word in philosophical discussions about the nature of time and finality. They are also aware of regional variations or archaic forms of the word that might appear in historical texts. At this level, the use of 'owarimasu' is not just about grammar, but about mastering the 'ma' (timing) of Japanese communication—knowing exactly when and how to signal the end of an interaction.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

終わります in 30 Sekunden

Owarimasu is the polite form of the verb owaru, meaning 'to finish' or 'to end.'
It is an intransitive verb, focusing on the event itself reaching its conclusion.
Commonly used for time, schedules, events, and as an auxiliary verb for completion.
It is the standard way to signal the end of a session or task in polite Japanese.

The Japanese verb 終わります (owarimasu) is a fundamental word that every learner encounters early in their journey. At its core, it means 'to finish,' 'to end,' or 'to come to a close.' However, understanding its nuance requires looking at its grammatical nature: it is primarily an intransitive verb. This means the focus is on the action or event itself reaching its conclusion, rather than a person actively finishing something. In English, we often say 'I finished the book,' but in Japanese, using 終わります, the focus is more on 'The book (reading) is finished.'

Daily Routine: You will hear this constantly in school or work settings. Teachers say it when a lesson is over, and colleagues use it when the workday concludes. It marks the transition from one state of activity to a state of rest or the next task.
Temporal Boundaries: It is used for seasons, years, and periods of time. When winter ends, or when the year 2023 ended, 終わります is the natural choice to describe that temporal boundary.
Event Conclusion: Whether it is a movie, a concert, a meeting, or a sale at a department store, this verb signals the finality of the event. It is the 'The End' marker of Japanese life.

授業は３時に終わります。
(The class finishes at 3 o'clock.)

In a cultural sense, 終わります carries a weight of completion and sometimes relief. In Japan, where punctuality and the clear definition of 'on' and 'off' time (kejime) are valued, clearly stating when something ends is crucial for social harmony. It allows everyone involved to move on to their next responsibility without ambiguity.

これで、今日の会議を終わります。
(With this, we finish today's meeting.)

Note: In formal announcements, speakers sometimes use 'o owarimasu' as a set phrase to mean 'bring to an end,' even though it's technically intransitive.

Emotional Nuance: Depending on the context, it can feel abrupt or satisfying. When a long project ends, saying 'owarimashita' (past tense) feels like a heavy burden being lifted. When a fun vacation ends, it carries a sense of nostalgia.

Using 終わります correctly involves understanding its relationship with time particles and subject markers. Since it describes an event reaching its conclusion, you will frequently see it paired with time expressions indicating when or how something ends.

The 'Ni' Particle for Specific Time: When you want to specify the exact time an event concludes, use the particle に (ni). For example, 'The movie ends at 9 PM' becomes 'Eiga wa kuji ni owarimasu.'
The 'De' Particle for Means or Scope: If you are ending a speech or a session 'with' a certain action or item, use で (de). For example, 'Let's end the party with a song' uses 'uta de owarimashou.'

仕事はもうすぐ終わります。
(Work will finish soon.)

One of the most powerful ways to use this verb is as an auxiliary verb. By attaching 終わる to the masu-stem of another verb, you can express 'finishing doing' that specific action. This is a very common pattern in intermediate Japanese.

本を読み終わりました。
(I finished reading the book.)

Negative Form: Owaranai: When something seems like it will never end, use the negative form 終わりません (owarimasen). 'The rain doesn't end' (Ame ga owarimasen) can imply a sense of frustration or persistence.

夏休みが終わりますね。
(Summer vacation is ending, isn't it?)

In formal business emails, you might see 終わります replaced by more formal terms like shuryo itashimasu, but in spoken business Japanese, 終わります remains the standard polite way to signal the end of a presentation or a phone call.

If you live in Japan or consume Japanese media, 終わります (owarimasu) is part of the daily soundscape. It is a word of transitions, heard at the boundaries of activities.

Public Announcements: In department stores, you might hear: 'Honjitsu no eigyo wa, gogo hachiji ni owarimasu' (Today's business hours will end at 8:00 PM). This is a standard announcement to notify customers of closing time.
School and University: The school bell is often followed by a student leader or teacher saying 'Kore de jugyo o owarimasu' (With this, we finish the class). It is a formal signal for students to bow and pack their bags.
Television and Radio: News anchors often conclude their segments with 'Kore de nyusu o owarimasu' (This concludes the news). It acts as a clear verbal period at the end of a broadcast sentence.

「もうすぐ番組が終わります。」
(The program will end soon.)

In the workplace, you will hear it during the 'asa-rei' (morning meeting) or 'yu-rei' (evening meeting). It is the signal that the collective meeting is over and individual work begins. It is also used when finishing a phone call: 'Sore dewa, shitsurei owarimasu' (Wait, actually, usually 'shitsurei itashimasu' is used for hanging up, but 'owarimasu' is used for the topic at hand).

Interestingly, in sports, particularly in martial arts like Kendo or Judo, the referee or instructor will use a related form to signal the end of a match or practice session. It establishes the boundary of the 'sacred space' of the dojo.

While 終わります (owarimasu) seems straightforward, English speakers often fall into several traps due to the differences in how 'finish' works in English versus Japanese.

The Transitive vs. Intransitive Trap: In English, 'finish' can be both: 'I finished the task' (transitive) and 'The task finished' (intransitive). In Japanese, 終わる (owaru) is primarily intransitive. If you want to say 'I finished it' (emphasizing your action), you should technically use 終える (oeru) or 終わらせる (owaraseru). However, in polite speech, 'owarimasu' is often used for both, which can be confusing.
Particle Confusion (O vs. Ga): Because 終わります is intransitive, the thing ending should be the subject (が). Saying 'Shukudai o owarimasu' is common among learners but sounds slightly off to native ears compared to 'Shukudai ga owarimasu' (The homework is finished).

❌ 宿題を終わります。
(Incorrect: I finish homework - using 'o' with an intransitive verb.)

✅ 宿題が終わりました。
(Correct: Homework is finished / I finished my homework.)

Another mistake is using 終わります for 'to stop.' If a car stops or a person stops walking, you must use 止まります (tomarimasu). 終わります is only for the conclusion of events, time periods, or processes.

Japanese has several ways to express the concept of 'ending,' each with its own specific register and nuance. Choosing the right one depends on the formality of the situation and whether you are focusing on the process or the result.

終了する (Shuryo suru): This is a more formal, technical term. You will see it on computer screens ('Session ended') or in official documents. It sounds more clinical than 終わります.
完了する (Kanryo suru): This means 'to complete.' It implies that all necessary steps have been taken and the goal has been reached. Use this for projects, downloads, or applications.
済む (Sumu): This is used when something is 'taken care of' or 'done with.' It often carries a nuance of 'that's enough' or 'it's settled.' For example, 'Okane de sumimasu' (It can be settled with money).

比較 (Comparison):
1. 会議が終わります (The meeting ends - general).
2. 会議が終了します (The meeting concludes - formal/official).
3. 準備が完了しました (Preparations are complete - goal reached).

For creative works like novels or movies, you might encounter 完結する (Kanketsu suru), which specifically means a story has reached its final chapter or conclusion. If a fire goes out or a light stops burning, you use 消える (kieru), not 終わる.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

"本日の業務はこれにて終了いたします。"

Neutral

"会議は３時に終わります。"

Informell

"宿題、終わった？"

Child friendly

"もうすぐアニメが終わっちゃうよ！"

Umgangssprache

"これでもう、おしまいだね。"

Wusstest du?

The kanji for 'end' (終) contains the character for 'winter' (冬). This is because winter was seen as the final season that completes the cycle of the four seasons before the new year begins.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /o.wa.ɾi.ma.sɯ/

US /o.wa.ɾi.ma.sɯ/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'owarimasu,' the pitch typically starts low, rises on 'wa,' and stays relatively level or drops slightly on 'ri-ma-su.'

Reimt sich auf

Hajimarimasu (Starts) Wakarimasu (Understands) Arimasu (Exists) Kaerimasu (Returns) Nari-masu (Becomes) Machi-masu (Waits) Tobi-masu (Flies) Yomi-masu (Reads)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' (curled tongue).
Over-emphasizing the final 'u' (it should be nearly silent).
Stressing the wrong syllable like an English word.
Elongating the 'a' sound in 'wa'.
Pronouncing 'o' like 'oh' with a diphthong.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The kanji 終 is common but has several strokes. Easy to recognize once learned.

Schreiben 3/5

Writing 終 requires attention to the thread radical and the right-side balance.

Sprechen 1/5

Very easy to pronounce and essential for basic communication.

Hören 1/5

Distinctive sound and usually appears at the end of sentences.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

始まる (hajimaru) 時 (toki/ji) 仕事 (shigoto) 授業 (jugyou) ます (masu-form)

Als Nächstes lernen

終える (oeru) 終了 (shuryou) 完了 (kanryou) 〜終わる (compound verbs) 〜てから (after doing)

Fortgeschritten

完結 (kanketsu) 終焉 (shuuen) 有終の美 (yuushuu no bi) 徒労に終わる (torou ni owaru)

Wichtige Grammatik

Intransitive Verb Usage

授業が終わります。(The class ends. 'Class' is the subject.)

Compound Verb: Stem + Owaru

本を読み終わりました。(I finished reading the book.)

Time Particle 'Ni'

５時に終わります。(Finishes at 5 o'clock.)

Te-form for Sequence

仕事が終わってから、帰ります。(After work finishes, I go home.)

Noun + no owari

一日の終わり (The end of the day.)

Beispiele nach Niveau

クラスは４時に終わります。

The class finishes at 4 o'clock.

Basic 'Time + ni' structure.

テストは終わりましたか。

Did the test finish?

Past tense question form.

仕事は５時に終わります。

Work finishes at 5 o'clock.

Standard daily routine sentence.

映画はもうすぐ終わります。

The movie will finish soon.

Using 'mousugu' (soon) with the verb.

休みが終わります。

The holiday is ending.

Subject + ga + verb.

パーティーはいつ終わりますか。

When does the party finish?

Interrogative 'itsu' (when).

今日の練習は終わります。

Today's practice is finishing.

Topic marker 'wa' with a noun phrase.

これで終わります。

It finishes with this / This is the end.

Common phrase to signal the end.

宿題がやっと終わりました。

The homework finally finished.

Using 'yatto' (finally) for relief.

会議はまだ終わりません。

The meeting hasn't finished yet.

Negative form 'owarimasen' with 'mada' (yet).

冬が終わって、春が来ます。

Winter ends, and spring comes.

Te-form 'owatte' used as a conjunction.

この本を読み終わりました。

I finished reading this book.

Compound verb: stem + owaru.

晩ご飯を食べ終わったら、散歩しましょう。

When we finish eating dinner, let's take a walk.

Conditional 'tara' with compound verb.

コンサートは９時半に終わる予定です。

The concert is scheduled to end at 9:30.

Using 'yotei' (plan/schedule).

夏休みが終わるのは寂しいです。

It is sad that summer vacation is ending.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

仕事が終わってから、飲みに行きませんか。

After work finishes, shall we go for a drink?

Te-form + kara (after doing...).

話が終わるまで、静かにしてください。

Please be quiet until the talk finishes.

Using 'made' (until) with the dictionary form.

ようやく長いプロジェクトが終わりました。

The long project has finally come to an end.

Using 'youyaku' (at last) for long processes.

使い終わった道具は、元の場所に戻してください。

Please return the tools you finished using to their original place.

Compound verb in the past tense modifying a noun.

彼との関係はもう終わっています。

The relationship with him is already over.

Te-iru form indicating a state of being finished.

番組が終わらないうちに、お風呂に入ります。

I'll take a bath before the program ends.

Using 'nai uchi ni' (before/while not).

書き終わったら、先生に提出してください。

Once you finish writing, please submit it to the teacher.

Compound verb with 'tara' conditional.

このドラマは全１０回で終わります。

This drama will end in 10 episodes.

Using 'de' to indicate scope/limit.

仕事が早く終われば、映画に行けます。

If work finishes early, I can go to a movie.

Conditional 'ba' form.

契約期間が終わる前に、更新の手続きをしてください。

Please complete the renewal procedures before the contract period ends.

Formal usage in a business context.

不況がいつ終わるのか、誰にも分かりません。

No one knows when the recession will end.

Embedded question with 'no ka'.

彼は一生を独身のまま終わりました。

He ended his life remaining single.

Abstract use referring to the end of a life.

議論は平行線のまま終わってしまった。

The discussion ended up remaining at a standstill.

Using 'te shimau' to indicate regret.

この工事は来月末までに終わる見込みです。

This construction is expected to finish by the end of next month.

Using 'mikomi' (expectation/prospect).

祭りが終わると、街は急に静かになった。

When the festival ended, the town suddenly became quiet.

Conditional 'to' indicating a natural consequence.

準備が終わり次第、出発しましょう。

As soon as the preparations are finished, let's depart.

Using 'shidai' (as soon as) with the stem.

そんなことをしても、時間の無駄に終わるだけだ。

Even if you do that, it will only end in a waste of time.

Idiomatic 'ni owaru' (to result in).

その政権は、国民の支持を失って終わった。

That administration came to an end after losing the support of the people.

Describing political shifts.

彼の作家としてのキャリアは、この作品で終わったと言える。

It can be said that his career as a writer ended with this work.

Nuanced assessment of a career.

紛争が平和的に終わることを切に願っています。

I sincerely hope that the conflict will end peacefully.

Formal expression of hope.

この物語は、読者の想像に任せる形で終わっている。

This story ends in a way that leaves it to the reader's imagination.

Describing literary techniques.

バブル経済が終わった後、日本は長い不況に陥った。

After the bubble economy ended, Japan fell into a long recession.

Historical context.

単なる噂で終わればいいのだが。

I hope it just ends as a mere rumor.

Using 'ba ii' to express desire.

一連の騒動は、彼の謝罪によって幕を閉じる形で終わった。

The series of disturbances ended with his apology bringing down the curtain.

Metaphorical use of 'maku o tojiru'.

人生がどのように終わるかは、誰にも予測できない。

No one can predict how a life will end.

Philosophical usage.

諸行無常の響きと共に、一つの時代が静かに終わろうとしている。

With the sound of impermanence, an era is quietly trying to come to an end.

Literary style using 'ou to shite iru'.

その試みは、結局のところ、徒労に終わったと言わざるを得ない。

I have to say that the attempt, in the end, resulted in nothing but wasted effort.

Using 'torou ni owaru' (end in vain).

万物が終わりを迎えるのは、宇宙の摂理である。

It is the providence of the universe that all things reach an end.

Highly abstract/philosophical.

この論争は、双方が妥協点を見出せないまま、後味の悪い形で終わった。

This dispute ended in an unpleasant way, with neither side able to find a compromise.

Describing complex social outcomes.

栄華を極めた一族も、最後は悲劇的な結末で終わった。

Even the family that reached the height of prosperity ended with a tragic conclusion.

Narrative arc description.

彼の沈黙が、この議論が実質的に終わったことを物語っている。

His silence tells us that this discussion has effectively ended.

Metaphorical interpretation of silence.

全ての苦しみが終わる日は、果たして来るのだろうか。

Will the day when all suffering ends ever truly come?

Existential questioning.

この契約が満了して終わる際には、原状回復の義務が生じる。

When this contract expires and ends, an obligation to restore the property to its original state arises.

Legal/Technical precision.

Häufige Kollokationen

仕事が終わる

授業が終わる

夏休みが終わる

会議が終わる

読み終わる

食べ終わる

番組が終わる

一生が終わる

恋が終わる

時代が終わる

Häufige Phrasen

これで終わります。

もうすぐ終わります。

やっと終わりました。

なかなか終わりません。

終わり良ければ全て良し。

使い終わる

書き終わる

見終わる

聞き終わる

やり終わる

Wird oft verwechselt mit

終わります vs 終える (oeru)

Oeru is transitive (I end something), while owaru is intransitive (Something ends). Oeru is more formal.

終わります vs 止まる (tomaru)

Tomaru means to stop moving (like a car), while owaru means to finish a process or time period.

終わります vs 止む (yamu)

Yamu is specifically for rain, snow, or wind stopping. You don't usually say 'Ame ga owarimasu'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"徒労に終わる"

To end in vain; to result in wasted effort.

彼の努力は徒労に終わった。(His efforts ended in vain.)

Formal/Literary

"幕を閉じる"

To bring down the curtain; to come to an end (often used for events or eras).

祭りは大盛況のうちに幕を閉じた。(The festival ended in great success.)

Formal/Literary

"終わりにする"

To put an end to something; to decide to stop.

この話はもう終わりにしましょう。(Let's put an end to this talk.)

Neutral

"終わりを告げる"

To signal the end; to announce the conclusion.

鐘の音が一日の終わりを告げた。(The sound of the bell signaled the end of the day.)

Literary

"水泡に帰す"

To come to nothing; to end like bubbles (similar to 'end in smoke').

計画は水泡に帰した。(The plan came to nothing.)

Literary

"有終の美を飾る"

To bring something to a successful conclusion; to end on a high note.

彼は引退試合で有終の美を飾った。(He ended his career on a high note in his retirement match.)

Formal

"尻切れとんぼに終わる"

To end abruptly or inconclusively; to leave something half-done.

会議は尻切れとんぼに終わった。(The meeting ended abruptly without a conclusion.)

Idiomatic/Casual

"夢に終わる"

To end as just a dream; to fail to become reality.

彼の野望は夢に終わった。(His ambition ended as just a dream.)

Literary

"平行線に終わる"

To end in a stalemate; to fail to reach an agreement.

交渉は平行線に終わった。(The negotiations ended in a stalemate.)

Formal

"一件落着"

Case closed; the matter is settled (often said when a problem ends).

これで一件落着だね。(With this, the case is closed.)

Idiomatic/Casual

Leicht verwechselbar

終わります vs 済む (sumu)

Both mean 'to finish.'

Sumu implies that a requirement or problem is settled. Owaru just means the end of a timeline.

宿題が終わった (Homework is finished) vs 謝れば済む (It's settled if you apologize).

終わります vs 終了 (shuryou)

Both mean 'end.'

Shuryou is a noun/suru-verb used in formal or technical contexts. Owaru is the general everyday verb.

営業終了 (Closed for business) vs 仕事が終わる (Work finishes).

終わります vs 完了 (kanryou)

Both mean 'finish.'

Kanryou focuses on completion and reaching a goal. Owaru focuses on the cessation of activity.

準備完了 (Ready/Complete) vs 会議が終わる (Meeting ends).

終わります vs 完結 (kanketsu)

Both mean 'end.'

Kanketsu is specifically for the conclusion of a creative work like a book or movie series.

物語が完結した (The story concluded).

終わります vs 止める (yameru)

Both involve stopping.

Yameru is transitive and means to quit or give up an action. Owaru is intransitive.

タバコをやめる (Quit smoking) vs 授業が終わる (Class ends).

Satzmuster

[Event] は [Time] に終わります。

パーティーは８時に終わります。

[Event] はもうすぐ終わります。

映画はもうすぐ終わります。

[Verb Stem] 終わりました。

ご飯を食べ終わりました。

[Event] が終わってから、[Action]。

仕事が終わってから、買い物に行きます。

[Event] が終わるまで [Action]。

雨が終わるまで（止むまで）待ちましょう。

[Verb Stem] 終わったら、教えてください。

使い終わったら、教えてください。

[Event] が終わる見込みです。

工事は来週終わる見込みです。

[Action] は [Result] に終わった。

彼の計画は失敗に終わった。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

終わり (owari) The end; conclusion.

終電 (shuuden) The last train of the day.

終点 (shuuten) The last stop/terminus.

Verben

終わる (owaru) To finish (dictionary form/intransitive).

終える (oeru) To finish/bring to an end (transitive).

終わらせる (owaraseru) To cause to finish; to make someone finish.

Adjektive

終わりのない (owari no nai) Endless; never-ending.

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high. It is one of the top 500 most used verbs in Japanese.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'o' with 'owarimasu' for tasks. → 宿題が終わりました。(Shukudai ga owarimashita.)
Since 'owarimasu' is intransitive, the task is the subject, not the object.
Using 'owarimasu' for rain. → 雨が止みました。(Ame ga yamimashita.)
'Owarimasu' is for events and time. 'Yamimasu' is for weather phenomena.
Using 'owarimasu' for physical stopping. → 車が止まりました。(Kuruma ga tomarimashita.)
'Owarimasu' is for completion, 'tomarimasu' is for halting movement.
Confusing 'owaru' and 'oeru'. → 仕事を終えました。(Shigoto o oemashita.)
If you want to emphasize that YOU finished the work (transitive), use 'oeru'.
Forgetting to use the stem with compound verbs. → 読み終わりました。(Yomi-owarimashita.)
You must use the masu-stem (yomi), not the dictionary form (yomu-owaru is incorrect).

Tipps

Subject Marker

Always remember that with 'owarimasu,' the thing that is ending is the subject. Use 'ga' or 'wa.' Example: 'Jugyo ga owarimasu.'

Ending a Speech

When you finish speaking in front of a group, say 'Kore de owarimasu' or 'Ijou de owarimasu' to signal you are done.

Compound Verbs

Mastering 'Stem + owaru' will greatly expand your vocabulary. It works with almost any action verb like 'tabe-owaru' or 'tsukai-owaru.'

Relief vs. Fact

Adding 'yatto' (finally) before 'owarimashita' adds an emotional layer of relief that a task is over.

The End Kanji

Learn to recognize the kanji 終. It's everywhere—on TV, in books, and at the end of train lines.

Kanji Practice

The right side of 終 is 'winter' (冬). Think of winter as the 'end' of the year to remember how to write it.

Train Announcements

Listen for 'shuuten' (終点) on trains. It comes from the same root and means the final stop.

Masu vs. Dictionary

In a classroom or office, always use 'owarimasu.' 'Owaru' is strictly for casual talk with friends.

Not for Stopping

Don't use 'owarimasu' to mean 'stop walking' or 'stop the car.' Use 'tomarimasu' for physical stopping.

All's Well

Memorize 'Owari yokereba subete yoshi.' It's a great phrase to use when a difficult situation ends well.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a 'War' (wa) ending. When the 'War' is 'Over' (o), everything 'O-WAR-imasu' (finishes).

Visuelle Assoziation

Picture a movie screen with the big kanji 終 appearing as the curtains close. This visual is iconic in Japan for 'The End.'

Word Web

Time Finish School Work Movie Season Complete Stop

Herausforderung

Try to use 'owarimasu' or 'owarimashita' three times today: once when you finish a meal, once when you finish work/study, and once when you finish watching a video.

Wortherkunft

The verb 'owaru' comes from Old Japanese. It is believed to be related to the word 'o' (tail/end), suggesting the physical extremity or final part of something. The kanji 終 consists of the 'thread' radical (糸) and the phonetic component 'fuyu' (冬 - winter), which is the 'end' of the year.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To reach the extremity; to complete a cycle.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'owaru' regarding people's lives or relationships, as it can sound very final and sometimes harsh.

English speakers often use 'I'm done' or 'I finished,' whereas Japanese speakers prefer the intransitive 'It finished' (Owarimashita).

The 'Owari' sign at the end of classic films. The song 'Owari naki tabi' (Endless Journey) by Mr. Children. The phrase 'Owari yo kereba subete yoshi' (All's well that ends well).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At School

授業が終わります。(Class ends.)
テストは終わりましたか？(Is the test finished?)
書き終わったら出してください。(Submit it when you finish writing.)
休み時間はもうすぐ終わります。(Break time is almost over.)

At Work

仕事は何時に終わりますか？(What time does work finish?)
会議は終わりました。(The meeting has finished.)
今日の業務を終わります。(Finishing today's duties.)
プロジェクトがやっと終わった。(The project finally finished.)

At the Cinema

映画は何時に終わりますか？(What time does the movie end?)
もうすぐ終わるよ。(It's ending soon.)
見終わったら感想を教えて。(Tell me your thoughts when you finish watching.)
エンドロールが終わるまで座っていて。(Stay seated until the credits end.)

Daily Life

ご飯を食べ終わりました。(I finished eating.)
冬が終わりますね。(Winter is ending, isn't it?)
セールは明日で終わります。(The sale ends tomorrow.)
本を読み終わった。(I finished reading the book.)

Announcements

まもなく営業を終わります。(We will close for business shortly.)
番組はここで終わります。(The program ends here.)
受付は５時で終わります。(Reception ends at 5.)
これで本日のニュースを終わります。(This concludes today's news.)

Gesprächseinstiege

"仕事は何時に終わりますか？ (What time do you finish work?)"

"その本、もう読み終わりましたか？ (Have you finished reading that book yet?)"

"夏休みが終わったら、何をしますか？ (What will you do once summer vacation ends?)"

"映画は何時に終わるか知っていますか？ (Do you know what time the movie ends?)"

"テストがやっと終わりましたね。どうでしたか？ (The test is finally over. How was it?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、仕事や学校が終わった後で何をしましたか？ (What did you do after work or school finished today?)

最近、読み終わった本や見終わった映画について書いてください。 (Write about a book or movie you finished recently.)

「やっと終わった！」と思った時のことを教えてください。 (Tell me about a time you thought, 'It's finally over!')

一年が終わる時、どんな気持ちになりますか？ (How do you feel when the year ends?)

もし明日で世界が終わるとしたら、何をしますか？ (If the world were to end tomorrow, what would you do?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Technically, 'owarimasu' is intransitive, so you should use 'ga.' However, in phrases like 'Kore de jugyo o owarimasu,' it is used transitively as a set phrase. For beginners, it is safer to stick to '[Subject] ga owarimasu.'

'Owaru' is the dictionary (casual) form used with friends. 'Owarimasu' is the polite form used with teachers, bosses, or strangers.

You can say 'Shukudai ga owarimashita' (My homework is finished) or 'Shukudai o yami-owarimashita' (I finished doing my homework).

No, for rain or snow, use 'yamimasu' (止みます). Using 'owarimasu' for rain sounds like the concept of rain itself is ending forever.

In a very literary or dramatic sense, 'jinsei ga owaru' (life ends) can mean death, but it is not a common way to say someone died.

The opposite is 'hajimarimasu' (始まります), which means 'to start' or 'to begin.'

Take the 'masu-stem' of a verb and add 'owaru.' For example, 'yomimasu' (read) -> 'yomi' + 'owaru' = 'yomi-owaru' (finish reading).

'Owari' is the noun form meaning 'the end.' You will see it at the end of movies or books.

'Shuryou' is more formal and used in announcements. 'Owarimasu' is perfectly fine for polite conversation with colleagues.

No, that sounds like you 'ended the book' (maybe destroyed it). Use 'Hon o yomi-owarimashita' (finished reading) or 'Hon ga owarimashita' (The book is finished).