Translation guide
The English word "complete" covers several distinct meanings: finishing something, making something whole, filling out a form, and describing something as total or absolute. Japanese uses different words and patterns for each.
To bring something to an end; to finish doing or making something.
Transitive verb meaning to finish something you are doing. Often used for tasks, work, or a series of actions.
仕事を終えた。
I completed my work.
彼は大学の課程を終えた。
He completed his university course.
Formal, often used for procedures, projects, or technical processes. Implies completion of a defined set of steps.
インストールが完了しました。
The installation has been completed.
To finish up, put the final touches on something, especially creative or manual work.
Intransitive verb meaning something ends or is finished. Not directly 'complete' as an action by a person, but often used in passive or spontaneous expressions.
Cannot take a direct object marked by を in the sense of 'someone completes something'. Use 終える instead.
To provide all necessary parts; to make a set or collection full.
To bring something to completion, especially a creation like a building, artwork, or plan. Emphasizes the result being whole.
新しい橋を完成させた。
They completed the new bridge.
To gather all items of a set; to make a complete set. Used for collections, documents, or matching items.
書類を揃えてください。
Please complete the documents (have all required documents ready).
To fulfill or carry out completely, often used for duties, responsibilities, or one's natural life span.
To write all required information on a form, application, etc.
To fill in blanks on a form. The standard verb for completing paperwork.
申込書に必要事項を記入してください。
Please complete the required information on the application form.
To write in, fill out by writing. Slightly more casual than 記入する.
アンケートに答えを書き込んだ。
I completed the questionnaire (wrote in the answers).
Used as an adjective meaning 'having all parts', 'entire', or 'utter'.
Na-adjective meaning perfect, complete, without flaw. Often used for 'complete' in the sense of total or absolute.
それは完全な失敗だった。
It was a complete failure.
完全な沈黙。
Complete silence.
Pre-noun adjectival meaning utter, complete, sheer. Emphasizes the extreme nature of something.
全くの偶然だ。
It's a complete coincidence.
Thorough, exhaustive, complete in the sense of leaving nothing out. Often used for investigations or reforms.
徹底した調査が必要だ。
A complete investigation is necessary.
The loanword コンプリート is mainly used in gaming or collecting contexts (e.g., completing a set of cards). It is not natural for finishing work or filling forms.
終える is transitive (someone finishes something). 終わる is intransitive (something ends). Use 終える when you want to say 'I completed X'.
レポートを終えた。
I finished the report.
レポートが終わった。
The report is finished (by itself or by someone else, focus on the state).
明日までにこれを終えなければならない。
I need to complete this by tomorrow.
添付の用紙にご記入ください。
Please complete the attached form.
プロジェクトは完了しました。
The project is now complete.
絵を仕上げる。
To complete a painting.
会議が終わった。
The meeting ended (was completed).
To fulfill one's responsibility completely.