Time and sequence

～終わる

finish ~ing

AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)

Practise this point

ShareFacebook (opens in a new tab)

How to form it

  • Verb (ます-stem) + 終わる

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Attaches to a verb stem to show that an action has been completed.

It is used with actions that have a clear end, such as eating, reading and writing. It does not suit verbs without an endpoint.

Examples

  1. レポートを書き終わったら、送ってください。

    レポートをかきおわったら、おくってください。

    Please send the report when you have finished writing it.

  2. 昼ご飯を食べ終わって、散歩に出た。

    ひるごはんをたべおわって、さんぽにでた。

    After finishing lunch, I went out for a walk.

  3. この本は、もう読み終わりました。

    このほんは、もうよみおわりました。

    I have already finished reading this book.

  4. 全部やり終わるまで、帰れない。

    ぜんぶやりおわるまで、かえれない。

    I cannot go home until I have finished everything.

Compare with

  • ～かける: かける is unfinished; 終わる is finished.
  • ～続ける: 続ける continues the action; 終わる completes it.

Common mistakes

  • Using it with verbs that have no natural endpoint, such as 住む or 知る.