Processing keyword: Verb 終わる (〜owaru)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb 終わる (〜owaru)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar point Verb 終わる (〜おわる), which is used to express the completion of an action. Understanding how to use this grammar structure will help you describe completed activities naturally and fluently.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The grammar point Verb 終わる (〜おわる) is used to indicate that someone finishes doing something. It's equivalent to saying "finish doing" or "end up doing" in English.

Structure

The basic structure is:

• Verb (ます-stem form) + 終わる

Formation Diagram

Steps	Explanation
1. Take Verb	Choose the verb representing the action.
2. Convert to ます-stem	Remove ます from the polite form.
3. Add 終わる	Attach 終わる to the ます-stem form of the verb.

Example

• 読む (to read) → 読み (ます-stem) + 終わる = 読み終わる (to finish reading)

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3. Comparative Analysis

Verb 終わる vs. Verb て-form + しまう

• Verb 終わる focuses on the completion of an action without additional connotations.
• Verb て-form + しまう can indicate completion but often implies regret or that something happened unintentionally.

  Grammar Point	Usage
  Verb (ます-stem) + 終わる	Simply finishing an action.
  Verb て-form + しまう	Finishing an action, sometimes with regret or unintentional nuance.

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4. Examples in Context

Example 1: Casual Conversation

映画を見終わった**ら、電話してね。
えいがを みおわった ら、でんわしてね。
"Call me after you finish watching the movie."

Example 2: Formal Writing

この書類を書き終わりました**ので、ご確認ください。
このしょるいを かきおわりました ので、ごかくにんください。
"I have finished writing this document, so please review it."

Example 3: Negative Form

宿題をやり終わっていない**学生は、残ってください。
しゅくだいを やりおわっていない がくせいは、のこってください。
"Students who haven't finished their homework, please stay behind."

Example 4: Expressing Future Completion

明日までにレポートを書き終わります**。
あしたまでに レポートを かきおわります。
"I will finish writing the report by tomorrow."

Example 5: Using with Different Verbs

彼女は長い小説を読み終わった**。
かのじょは ながい しょうせつを よみおわった。
"She finished reading a long novel."

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese culture, expressing the completion of tasks is important, especially in group settings like schools and workplaces. Using Verb 終わる appropriately shows respect for others' time and the importance of fulfilling responsibilities.

Levels of Politeness

• Casual Speech: Use the plain form 終わる.
• Polite Speech: Use the polite form 終わります.
• Teineigo (Polite Language): Appropriate for formal situations and when speaking to superiors.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 食べ終わる (たべおわる): To finish eating.
• 使い終わる (つかいおわる): To finish using something.
• These expressions are commonly used in daily life to indicate task completion.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

Mistake 1: Using the Dictionary Form Instead of ます-stem

• Incorrect: 食べる終わる
• Correct: 食べ終わる**

Mistake 2: Confusing with 終える

• 終わる: Intransitive verb (does not take a direct object).
• 終える: Transitive verb (requires a direct object). Example:
• 会議が終わる: The meeting ends.
• 会議を終える: Someone ends the meeting.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Remember that 終わる means "to end," so adding it to a verb stem indicates the action "ends."
• Practice Common Verbs: Use verbs like 読む, 書く, 食べる with 終わる to get comfortable with the structure.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• Verb 終わる is used to express the completion of an action.
• Formed by adding 終わる to the ます-stem of a verb.
• Be mindful of the formality level in different contexts.

Quick Recap Quiz

Question 1

How do you say "finish doing homework" using 終わる?

Answer

**宿題を**やり終わる** *しゅくだいを やりおわる*

### Question 2 What is the correct way to use **終わる** with the verb **書く** (to write)? A) **書く終わる** B) **書き終わる** C) **書おわる**

Answer

**B) 書き終わる**

### Question 3 Translate to English: **彼女はレポートを**書き終わりました**。**

Answer

"She has finished writing the report."

--- By mastering **Verb 終わる (〜おわる)**, you can effectively express when you've completed actions, enhancing your ability to communicate in Japanese.