Translation guide
How to express that something has finished, ended, or is no longer happening in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether you're talking about an event, a relationship, a time period, or a physical position.
The speaker wants to say that a scheduled event, class, meeting, or activity has come to its natural end.
The most common and neutral way to say something ends or is over. Used for events, classes, meetings, movies, etc.
授業が終わった。
Class is over.
映画はもう終わりましたか？
Is the movie over already?
Implies something is finished and done with, often with a sense of relief or completion. Used for tasks, work, or obligations.
仕事が済んだら、飲みに行こう。
Let's go for a drink when work is over.
Formal or written expression for 'to end' or 'to be over'. Common in announcements, schedules, and official contexts.
本日の営業は終了しました。
Today's business hours are over.
The speaker wants to say that a relationship, romantic involvement, or a particular situation has come to an end.
Also used for relationships. Simply states that it's over.
彼とはもう終わった。
It's over between me and him.
Specifically means to break up or separate. More direct when talking about romantic relationships.
The speaker wants to say that a period of time (summer, vacation, a deadline) is over.
The speaker wants to describe a location that is above, on top of, or across from something else.
Literally 'on top of'. Use this for physical position.
猫が車の上にいる。
The cat is over the car (on top of the car).
Means 'across' or 'on the other side'. Used when something is over a river, street, etc.
銀行は通りの向こうにあります。
The bank is over the street.
Means 'over' in the sense of crossing a boundary or obstacle.
ボールが塀を越えて飛んでいった。
The ball flew over the fence.
The speaker wants to express that something exceeds a number, amount, or age.
Attach to a number to mean 'over' or 'more than'. Very common.
このゲームは18歳以上向けです。
This game is for people over 18.
Verb meaning 'to exceed'. Often used in formal or written contexts.
気温が30度を超えた。
The temperature went over 30 degrees.
English 'over' has many meanings. For physical position, Japanese uses specific location words like 上 (うえ) 'on', 向こう (むこう) 'across', or 越えて (こえて) 'over/across'. Using a direct translation of 'be over' will not work.
猫が車の上にいる。
The cat is on the car. (Not 'over' in the sense of above without contact.)
終わる (おわる) is the general word for 'end/finish'. 済む (すむ) adds a nuance of completion and relief, often used for tasks or duties. 済む cannot be used for events like movies or parties.
宿題が済んだ。
Homework is done (and I'm relieved).
パーティーが終わった。
The party is over.
彼女と別れた。
I broke up with my girlfriend. (Our relationship is over.)
The deadline is already over.