終わる・おわる (waru owaru)

Meaning & usage

Adding 終わる after a verb expresses that the action has been completed to the end, like finishing reading a book or eating a meal. It attaches to the masu-stem, so 読む becomes 読み終わる and 食べる becomes 食べ終わる, and the whole compound conjugates like 終わる itself, for example 読み終わった for past. It is neutral and common in both speech and writing, but it stresses full completion rather than stopping midway, so it does not suit actions that have no clear endpoint.

Example sentences 3

1. この本ほんを読よみ終おわらなければならないので出でかけない。

   I am not going out because I have to finish reading this book.

2. この本はもう読み終わったよ。

   I have already finished this book.

3. ちょうどその本を読み終わったところだよ。

   I have just finished reading the book.