Translation guide
How to express that something is completed, done, or over in Japanese, depending on whether you focus on the state, the action, or the end of an event.
Describing that something is in a finished state right now.
Used for something that has been intentionally finished and remains in that state. Often implies someone did it for a purpose.
レポートはもう書いてあります。
The report is already written (and ready).
窓が開けてあります。
The window has been left open (on purpose).
For intransitive verbs, this describes a current state resulting from a change. Often translates to 'is finished'.
仕事はもう終わっています。
The work is already finished.
ドアが閉まっています。
The door is closed.
Attached to nouns to mean 'already finished'. Common in formal or written contexts.
Expressing that someone finishes doing something.
Attached to the stem of a verb to mean 'finish doing'. Focuses on the completion of the action.
本を読み終わりました。
I finished reading the book.
宿題をやり終わったら遊びに行けるよ。
Once you finish your homework, you can go play.
Implies completing something with effort or thoroughly. Often used for creative or production tasks.
論文を書き上げた。
I finished writing the thesis.
ケーキを焼き上げました。
I finished baking the cake.
Transitive verb meaning 'to finish (something)'. More formal than 終わる.
Saying that a meeting, class, season, or time period has ended.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to end, to be over'. Used for events, time, etc.
会議はもう終わりました。
The meeting is already over.
夏休みが終わった。
Summer vacation is over.
Means 'to be finished, to be settled'. Often used for tasks or obligations that are taken care of.
用事が済んだら連絡して。
Contact me when you're done with your errand.
Emphasizing that something is completely done, used up, or exhausted.
Means to do something completely or to the end. Often implies nothing is left.
お金を使い切った。
I used up all the money.
マラソンを走り切った。
I ran the entire marathon.
Similar to 切る but often implies exhausting all possibilities or doing something thoroughly.
できることはやり尽くした。
I've done everything I can.
終わる (owaru) is used for events, actions, and time periods ending. 済む (sumu) is used for tasks, obligations, or matters being settled or taken care of. 仕事が終わる means the work time is over, while 仕事が済む means the work task is completed.
To say something is finished and ready because someone did it, use 〜てある, not 終わっている. 終わっている just means the action of finishing is complete, not that the result is intentionally maintained.
資料はコピーしてあります。
The documents have been copied (and are ready).
I finished work and went home.
The payment has been made (settled).