Translation guide
How to express that something is completed, done, or over in Japanese, depending on context and nuance.
I finished my homework.
Work is already finished.
Past tense of 済む (to be completed/finished). Often implies a sense of relief or that something is taken care of.
The payment has been made (is finished).
Call me when you're done with your errand.
Verb stem + 終わる means 'to finish doing something'. Emphasizes the completion of the action.
I finished reading the book.
I finished writing the report.
Formal/technical term for completion. Used in official or business contexts.
The project has been completed.
To describe that something is in a finished state, or an event is over.
Te-iru form of 終わる, indicating the state of being finished. Often used for events or things that have ended.
The meeting is already over.
The movie finished ages ago.
Te-iru form of 済む, indicating a state of completion, often with a nuance of 'taken care of'.
The procedures are already completed.
Means 'to be completed' in the sense of something being made or prepared. Used for products, meals, etc.
Dinner is ready (finished cooking).
To say that a supply or resource is used up, or a person is exhausted.
Past tense of 切れる (to run out/expire). Used for things like batteries, time, patience.
Past tense of 尽きる (to be exhausted/used up). Often used for abstract things like patience, ideas, or luck.
My patience is exhausted.
Past tense of なくなる (to be gone/used up). Very common for physical items being used up.
We're out of gas.
To emphasize that something is completely finished, with no remaining parts.
Verb stem + 切る means 'to do something completely/to the end'. Stronger than 終わる.
I ran the whole marathon (finished it completely).
I finished all the work (did it thoroughly).
Verb stem + 尽くす means 'to do something exhaustively/use up'. Implies doing everything possible.
I've done everything I can (exhausted all options).
To describe something that is pre-made or already finished, like a product.
Both mean 'to finish', but 終わる focuses on the end of an action or event, while 済む often implies a sense of relief or that an obligation is fulfilled. 済む is commonly used for errands, payments, and formalities.
The English loanword フィニッシュ is rarely used in natural Japanese except in specific sports or game contexts. It does not mean 'finished' in general.
Are you finished with that book?
I'm finished for the day.
The cake is finished.
The new building is completed.
I've run out of ideas.
I've run out of money.