終わる

• Reading: おわる
• Romaji: owaru
• Kanji breakdown: 終 (shuu/o) — to end, to finish
• Pronunciation: /o.ɰa.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To end; to finish; to be over. Used for things that come to a conclusion.

A Group 1 (godan) verb with an る stem. Can function as both intransitive (something ends) and transitive (to finish something) depending on context. Often pairs with 始まる as its opposite. Common in school and work contexts for describing when activities finish.

Examples

1. 授業は三時に終わります。 Class ends at three o'clock.
2. 宿題がやっと終わった。 I finally finished my homework.
3. 仕事が終わったら、飲みに行きませんか。 Would you like to go for drinks after work?

Usage Guide

Context: school, work, events

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 終 combines 糸 (thread) and 冬 (winter/end), suggesting the end of a thread or the conclusion of something.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal