Translation guide
How to express that something has finished, ended, or is no longer happening in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you're talking about an event, a relationship, a time period, or a physical position.
The speaker wants to say that a scheduled event, class, meeting, or activity has come to its natural end.
The most common and neutral way to say something ends or is over. Used for events, classes, meetings, movies, etc.
Class is over.
Is the movie over already?
Implies something is finished and done with, often with a sense of relief or completion. Used for tasks, work, or obligations.
Let's go for a drink when work is over.
Formal or written expression for 'to end' or 'to be over'. Common in announcements, schedules, and official contexts.
Today's business hours are over.
The speaker wants to say that a relationship, romantic involvement, or a particular situation has come to an end.
The speaker wants to say that a period of time (summer, vacation, a deadline) is over.
The speaker wants to describe a location that is above, on top of, or across from something else.
Literally 'on top of'. Use this for physical position.
The cat is over the car (on top of the car).
Means 'across' or 'on the other side'. Used when something is over a river, street, etc.
The bank is over the street.
Means 'over' in the sense of crossing a boundary or obstacle.
The ball flew over the fence.
The speaker wants to express that something exceeds a number, amount, or age.
English 'over' has many meanings. For physical position, Japanese uses specific location words like 上 (うえ) 'on', 向こう (むこう) 'across', or 越えて (こえて) 'over/across'. Using a direct translation of 'be over' will not work.
The cat is on the car. (Not 'over' in the sense of above without contact.)
終わる (おわる) is the general word for 'end/finish'. 済む (すむ) adds a nuance of completion and relief, often used for tasks or duties. 済む cannot be used for events like movies or parties.
Homework is done (and I'm relieved).
The party is over.
I broke up with my girlfriend. (Our relationship is over.)
締め切りはもう過ぎた。
The deadline is already over.