Translation guide
How to express finishing something, reaching a final decision, or ending a process in Japanese.
To bring something to an end, complete it, or wrap it up.
Transitive verb meaning to finish or complete something. Commonly used for tasks, work, or events.
Let's go for a drink after we finish work.
He successfully finished his speech.
Causative form of 終わる (intransitive), meaning to make something end or to bring something to a close. Emphasizes the action of causing the end.
I want to finish the meeting quickly.
Formal verb meaning to complete or finalize. Often used in business or technical contexts.
We completed the project as scheduled.
Idiomatic phrase meaning to settle or bring something to a conclusion, often after a long process or dispute.
I want to bring this issue to a conclusion quickly.
To conclude discussions, negotiations, or reasoning and arrive at a decision.
Literally 'to bring out a conclusion'. The most common way to say 'reach a conclusion' or 'come to a decision'.
After discussion, we finally reached a conclusion.
It's too early to draw a conclusion.
To bring together, summarize, or finalize. Often used for wrapping up discussions or agreements.
To bring something to a close, often with a final summary or concluding remark. Used for speeches, events, or the end of a process.
To bring a narrative, ceremony, or performance to its intended end.
To tie up, conclude, or end. Often used for speeches, stories, or formal events.
The chairman concluded his address.
Literally 'to close the curtain'. Used for the end of a play, performance, or metaphorically for the end of an era.
That incident brought the era to a conclusion.
終える is a straightforward transitive verb meaning 'to finish'. 終わらせる is the causative of the intransitive 終わる and implies making something end, often with a nuance of forcing or actively bringing about the end. 終える is more common for simply completing a task.
I finished my homework.
He finally brought the long meeting to an end.
The phrase 'bring to a conclusion' is often not translated word-for-word. In many cases, simpler verbs like 終える or 終わる are more natural. Using 結論を持ってくる would be incorrect.
意見をまとめて、結論を出しましょう。
Let's bring together our opinions and reach a conclusion.
I'll bring it to a conclusion with one final word.