~おわる

~おわる

to finish doing ~

JLPT N4

Meaning and Usage

The suffix ~おわる attaches to the stem of a verb to express that the action has been completed or finished. It is a common way to indicate that something has been done fully.

Common Collocations

  • やりおわる: to finish doing something
  • 読みおわる: to finish reading
  • 書きおわる: to finish writing

Usage Notes

This form is often used in casual and polite speech. It emphasizes the completion of an action rather than just stopping it temporarily. Be careful not to confuse ~おわる with ~しまう, which can also indicate completion but sometimes carries a nuance of regret or unintended action.

Typical Contexts

You will often hear ~おわる in daily conversation when talking about finishing homework, reading books, or completing tasks at work. It helps speakers clearly express that an action is fully done.

Example Sentences

しゅくだいをやりおわった。

I finished doing my homework.

ほんをよみおわったら、かしてください。

Please lend me the book after you finish reading it.

しごとがおわるのがおそくて、つかれました。

I was tired because finishing work was late.