Translation guide
How to express stopping or terminating something in Japanese, from casual to formal.
To bring something to an end, such as an activity, situation, or practice.
The most direct and common way to say 'put an end to' something. It is the causative form of 終わる (to end), meaning 'to make something end'.
He put an end to the argument.
Let's put an end to this work quickly.
Means 'to stop' or 'to quit' something. Often used for habits, actions, or ongoing situations. More casual than 終わらせる.
You should put an end to smoking.
He put an end to complaining.
Means 'to terminate' or 'to discontinue', often used for projects, programs, or events. More formal and decisive.
The company put an end to the project.
Means 'to abolish' or 'to do away with', used for systems, rules, or customs. Formal and often used in official contexts.
The law was put an end to.
To cause someone's death, often deliberately.
To terminate a personal or professional relationship.
終わらせる focuses on bringing something to its conclusion, while やめる emphasizes stopping or quitting an ongoing action. Use 終わらせる for tasks, events, or situations that have a natural end point. Use やめる for habits, voluntary actions, or when the subject decides to stop doing something.
Avoid directly translating 'put' and 'end' as 終わりを置く or similar. The natural Japanese expressions depend on the context. Also, 'put an end to' can sound euphemistic in English; in Japanese, using direct words like 殺す may be more natural unless you want a softer tone.
He put an end to his enemy.
彼は家族と縁を切った。
He put an end to ties with his family.