Translation guide
How to express the idea of completing the act of reading something in Japanese, depending on what is being read and the nuance.
To express that you have read something to the end, such as a book, article, or document.
The most common and natural way to say 'finish reading' something. It combines 読む (to read) with 終わる (to finish).
I finished reading that book yesterday.
I'll call you when I finish reading this article.
A more formal or literary way to say 'finish reading', often used in written contexts or when discussing books.
He finished reading the novel.
Emphasizes reading something completely, often implying it was long or challenging. 切る adds the nuance of doing something to the end.
I finally finished reading this long report.
To express finishing reading something out loud, such as a story to a child or a passage in class.
To express that you have read a message, email, or notification, often implying you have seen it.
読み終わる is the everyday, neutral way to say 'finish reading'. 読了する is formal and often used in literary or academic contexts, like book reviews or reading logs.
In daily conversation, 'yomiowatta' is natural.
Simply saying 読んだ (read) can imply finishing reading if the context is clear, but to be explicit, use 読み終わった.
Have you read that book already?