Translation guide
How to express the idea of completing or ending a task, activity, or process in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you are finishing something concrete (like work or a meal), wrapping up a conversation, or putting the final touches on something.
仕事を終えています。
I'm finishing up my work.
ここで終わりにしましょう。
Let's finish up here.
To say that you are finishing a specific task, job, or activity (e.g., work, homework, a project).
Intransitive verb meaning 'to end' or 'to be finished'. Use this when the subject is the thing that finishes. Often used with が.
仕事が終わった。
I finished work.
宿題がもうすぐ終わる。
My homework will be finished soon.
Transitive verb meaning 'to finish (something)'. Use this when you actively finish a task. Often used with を.
仕事を終えた。
I finished my work.
レポートを終えたら帰ります。
I'll go home once I finish the report.
Phrase meaning 'to call it a day' or 'to bring something to an end'. Often used when you decide to stop an activity, especially for the day.
今日はここで終わりにしましょう。
Let's finish up here for today.
もう遅いから、ゲームを終わりにしよう。
It's late, so let's finish up the game.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be completed' or 'to be done'. Often implies that something is taken care of or settled, sometimes with a sense of relief. Used for tasks, errands, or obligations.
用事が済んだ。
I finished my errand.
支払いが済んだら出かけよう。
Let's go out once the payment is done.
Transitive verb meaning 'to finish (something)' or 'to get something done'. Often used for tasks that need to be completed, like chores or paperwork.
昼食を済ませてから会議に行きます。
I'll go to the meeting after finishing lunch.
手続きを早く済ませたい。
I want to finish the procedures quickly.
To indicate that you are bringing a discussion, meeting, or social interaction to a close.
A polite way to suggest wrapping up a meeting or gathering. 'そろそろ' adds the nuance of 'it's about time'.
そろそろ終わりにしましょうか。
Shall we wrap up soon?
Literally 'around here', used to signal the end of a conversation or activity. Often combined with 終わりにしましょう or 失礼します.
この辺で失礼します。
I'll take my leave now. (lit. Excuse me around here.)
この辺で終わりにしましょう。
Let's finish up here.
A common way to signal that you need to leave or end a conversation. Often left unfinished, implying 'it's time to go'.
では、そろそろ…
Well, I should be going...
To express that you are adding finishing touches or completing the last details of a project, piece of writing, or creative work.
Means 'to do the finishing touches' or 'to give the final polish'. Used for creative works, crafts, or any task requiring final adjustments.
絵の仕上げをしている。
I'm putting the finishing touches on the painting.
レポートの仕上げに取りかかる。
I'll start on the final touches of the report.
Transitive verb meaning 'to finish up' or 'to complete with care'. Emphasizes bringing something to a polished state.
Noun phrase meaning 'the final finish' or 'the last touch'. Used when referring to the very last step of a process.
最後の仕上げに入る。
We're entering the final finishing stage.
To say that you are finishing eating or drinking something.
Compound verb meaning 'to finish eating'. Very common and natural.
食べ終わったら片付けます。
I'll clean up once I finish eating.
Compound verb meaning 'to finish drinking'.
コーヒーを飲み終わった。
I finished my coffee.
終わる (intransitive) is used when the subject is the thing that ends: 仕事が終わる (the work ends). 終える (transitive) is used when someone actively finishes something: 仕事を終える (I finish the work). 済む implies completion of an obligation or task, often with a sense of relief: 用事が済む (the errand is done).
The English loanword フィニッシュ is sometimes used in sports or casual contexts, but it is not a natural way to say 'finish up' in most situations. Stick to native Japanese verbs.
✕ 仕事をフィニッシュする。
Don't say this for 'finish work'.
I want to finish up this piece by the end of today.
Said after finishing a meal to express gratitude. It implies that you have finished eating.
ごちそうさまでした。
Thank you for the meal (I've finished).