Translation guide
The English word "complete" covers several distinct meanings: finishing something, making something whole, filling out a form, and describing something as total or absolute. Japanese uses different words and patterns for each.
To bring something to an end; to finish doing or making something.
Transitive verb meaning to finish something you are doing. Often used for tasks, work, or a series of actions.
I completed my work.
Formal, often used for procedures, projects, or technical processes. Implies completion of a defined set of steps.
The installation has been completed.
To finish up, put the final touches on something, especially creative or manual work.
Intransitive verb meaning something ends or is finished. Not directly 'complete' as an action by a person, but often used in passive or spontaneous expressions.
Cannot take a direct object marked by を in the sense of 'someone completes something'. Use 終える instead.
To provide all necessary parts; to make a set or collection full.
To bring something to completion, especially a creation like a building, artwork, or plan. Emphasizes the result being whole.
To write all required information on a form, application, etc.
To fill in blanks on a form. The standard verb for completing paperwork.
Used as an adjective meaning 'having all parts', 'entire', or 'utter'.
Na-adjective meaning perfect, complete, without flaw. Often used for 'complete' in the sense of total or absolute.
The loanword コンプリート is mainly used in gaming or collecting contexts (e.g., completing a set of cards). It is not natural for finishing work or filling forms.
終える is transitive (someone finishes something). 終わる is intransitive (something ends). Use 終える when you want to say 'I completed X'.
I finished the report.
I need to complete this by tomorrow.
He completed his university course.
絵を仕上げる。
To complete a painting.
会議が終わった。
The meeting ended (was completed).
They completed the new bridge.
To gather all items of a set; to make a complete set. Used for collections, documents, or matching items.
Please complete the documents (have all required documents ready).
To fulfill or carry out completely, often used for duties, responsibilities, or one's natural life span.
To fulfill one's responsibility completely.
Please complete the required information on the application form.
To write in, fill out by writing. Slightly more casual than 記入する.
I completed the questionnaire (wrote in the answers).
It was a complete failure.
Complete silence.
Pre-noun adjectival meaning utter, complete, sheer. Emphasizes the extreme nature of something.
It's a complete coincidence.
Thorough, exhaustive, complete in the sense of leaving nothing out. Often used for investigations or reforms.
A complete investigation is necessary.
レポートが終わった。
The report is finished (by itself or by someone else, focus on the state).
Please complete the attached form.
The project is now complete.