Translation guide
How to express that something finishes, concludes, or reaches its natural termination in Japanese, depending on what is ending and the nuance.
To say that an event, period, or activity has finished or come to a close.
The most common and versatile intransitive verb for something ending. Use for events, seasons, work, movies, etc.
A more formal suru-verb often used for scheduled events, broadcasts, or operations.
本日の営業は終了しました。
Today's business has come to an end.
Used for the conclusion of conflicts, wars, or long-term situations. Formal and somewhat literary.
戦争が終結した。
The war came to an end.
To express that something gradually ends, runs out, or reaches its limit.
To say that a matter, discussion, or process has reached its conclusion.
Used when a dispute, argument, or unresolved matter is finally settled.
その問題はまだ決着がついていない。
That issue hasn't come to an end yet.
Colloquial for finishing up a task or settling a matter.
仕事がやっと片が付いた。
The work finally came to an end.
To express that a relationship, era, or state of affairs has ended.
Literary expression meaning 'to announce the end', used for eras, relationships, or significant periods.
二人の関係は終わりを告げた。
Their relationship came to an end.
Metaphor from theater, 'to close the curtain', used for events, careers, or eras.
終わる is the everyday word for something ending. 終了する is formal and often used in announcements or schedules. 尽きる is for resources or abstract things running out, not for events.
会議が終わった。
The meeting ended.
会議が終了しました。
The meeting has concluded. (formal)
アイデアが尽きた。
I've run out of ideas.
English 'come to an end' can mean 'run out', but 終わる is not used for supplies or patience. Use 尽きる or 切れる instead.
My visa comes to an end.
電池が切れた。
The battery ran out.
Its long history came to an end.