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.
I'm finishing up my work.
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.
Transitive verb meaning 'to finish (something)'. Use this when you actively finish a task. Often used with を.
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.
Let's finish up here for today.
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.
Transitive verb meaning 'to finish (something)' or 'to get something done'. Often used for tasks that need to be completed, like chores or paperwork.
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'.
To express that you are adding finishing touches or completing the last details of a project, piece of writing, or creative work.
To say that you are finishing eating or drinking something.
Compound verb meaning 'to finish eating'. Very common and natural.
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).
Work is finished.
My homework will be finished soon.
仕事を終えた。
I finished my work.
I'll go home once I finish the report.
It's late, so let's finish up the game.
I finished my errand.
Let's go out once the payment is done.
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.
I want to finish the procedures quickly.
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.
I'll take my leave now. (lit. Excuse me around here.)
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'.
Well, I should be going...
I'm putting the finishing touches on the painting.
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.
I want to finish up this piece by the end of today.
Noun phrase meaning 'the final finish' or 'the last touch'. Used when referring to the very last step of a process.
We're entering the final finishing stage.
I'll clean up once I finish eating.
Compound verb meaning 'to finish drinking'.
I finished my coffee.
Said after finishing a meal to express gratitude. It implies that you have finished eating.
Thank you for the meal (I've finished).
仕事を終えた。
I finished work.
The work is done (and I'm relieved).
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.
Don't say this for 'finish work'.