How to say "finish" in Japanese

• しまうJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbTo finish, stop, or put an end to something — wrapping a matter up and being done with it. Usually written in kana alone.
• 済むすむJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbAn intransitive verb for a matter or task being finished, completed, or resolved — the affair is settled and done, rather than someone actively finishing it.
  １０時じちょっと前まえに仕事しごとが済すんだ。↗

  We got through the work just before ten.
• 終わるおわるJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe broad, neutral verb for something coming to an end or finishing — an event, activity, or period simply ends. Use it when 'finish' essentially means 'end'.
  野球やきゅうの試合しあいは引き分ひきわけに終おわった。↗

  The baseball game ended in a draw.
• 終えるおえるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbTransitive: to finish, complete, or bring something to an end — you actively get through with a task or piece of work rather than it simply ending on its own.
  その仕事しごとをもう終おえましたか。↗

  Are you through with the work?
• 仕上げしあげJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA noun, not a verb: the finish or finishing touches — the final work that completes something. It names the last stage of a job, not the act of finishing itself.
  仕上しあげの筆ふでを少すこし加くわえる。↗

  I add a few finishing touches.

Choose 「終わる」 when something simply ends, 「終える」 when you finish something deliberately, 「済む」 when a matter is settled or done, 「しまう」 when you stop or put an end to something, and 「仕上げ」 for the finishing touches.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• しまうto finish
• 済むすむto finish
• 終わるおわるto end
• 終えるおえるto finish
• 仕上げしあげfinish
• きりend
• 仕上がりしあがりfinish
• フィニッシュfinish
• 済ますすますto finish
• 出来上がりできあがりcompletion
• 打ち切りうちきりend
• 了りょうfinish
• 済ませるすませるto finish
• 出来できworkmanship
• 切り上げるきりあげるto close (at a certain point)
• 仕舞いしまいend
• とことんthe very end
• やり遂げるやりとげるto accomplish
• 了するりょうするto finish
• なし終わるなしおわるto finish
• し終えるしおえるto finish
• 相済むあいすむto finish
• 締めくくりしめくくりconclusion
• 上塗りうわぬりfinal coat (of paint, plaster, varnish, etc.)
• し遂げるしとげるto accomplish
• なし終えるなしおえるto accomplish
• けりをつけるto settle
• ちょんになるto come to an end
• やり終えるやりおえるto complete
• 締めくくりをつけるしめくくりをつけるto bring to a finish
• 片付けるかたづけるto finish
• 打ち上げるうちあげるto finish (e.g. a theater run, sumo tournament)
• 締めしめconclusion (e.g. of a gathering)
• あがりcompletion
• 幕を閉じるまくをとじるto come to an end
• 幕を引くまくをひくto come to an end
• 幕を下ろすまくをおろすto come to an end
• あげるto complete
• 上がるあがるto be complete
• 落とすおとすto finish (a period, e.g. of fasting)
• 収めるおさめるto finish
• こなすto finish