Meaning and Usage
The verb 終る (おわる) means "to finish" or "to end." It is used to describe the completion of events, activities, or periods of time. It is an intransitive verb, so the subject itself finishes or ends without a direct object.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 終る in everyday situations such as classes, movies, work shifts, or meetings ending. It is a basic verb useful for expressing when something has come to a close.
Collocations and Patterns
- 授業が終る (じゅぎょうがおわる): class ends
- 映画が終るまで (えいががおわるまで): until the movie ends
- 仕事が終ったら (しごとがおわったら): after work finishes
These patterns help specify the timing related to the ending of an event.
Register and Politeness
終る is neutral and commonly used in both casual and polite speech. When speaking politely, the past tense 終りました (おわりました) is often used.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 終る (おわる) with 終える (おえる). 終る is intransitive (something ends by itself), while 終える is transitive (someone finishes something). For example, 授業が終る (the class ends) vs. 宿題を終える (finish homework).