Translation guide
How to express stopping or terminating something in Japanese, from casual to formal.
To bring something to an end, such as an activity, situation, or practice.
The most direct and common way to say 'put an end to' something. It is the causative form of 終わる (to end), meaning 'to make something end'.
彼はその議論を終わらせた。
He put an end to the argument.
早くこの仕事を終わらせよう。
Let's put an end to this work quickly.
To cause someone's death, often deliberately.
A direct but somewhat literary way to say 'to take a life'. Can be used for suicide or murder.
彼は自ら命を絶った。
He put an end to his own life.
To terminate a personal or professional relationship.
Means 'to sever a relationship'. Used for both personal and business ties.
彼女は彼との関係を断った。
She put an end to her relationship with him.
終わらせる focuses on bringing something to its conclusion, while やめる emphasizes stopping or quitting an ongoing action. Use 終わらせる for tasks, events, or situations that have a natural end point. Use やめる for habits, voluntary actions, or when the subject decides to stop doing something.
Avoid directly translating 'put' and 'end' as 終わりを置く or similar. The natural Japanese expressions depend on the context. Also, 'put an end to' can sound euphemistic in English; in Japanese, using direct words like 殺す may be more natural unless you want a softer tone.
Means 'to stop' or 'to quit' something. Often used for habits, actions, or ongoing situations. More casual than 終わらせる.
タバコをやめるべきだ。
You should put an end to smoking.
彼は文句を言うのをやめた。
He put an end to complaining.
Means 'to terminate' or 'to discontinue', often used for projects, programs, or events. More formal and decisive.
会社はそのプロジェクトを打ち切った。
The company put an end to the project.
Means 'to abolish' or 'to do away with', used for systems, rules, or customs. Formal and often used in official contexts.
その法律は廃止された。
The law was put an end to.
The common word for 'to kill'. Direct and blunt.
彼は敵を殺した。
He put an end to his enemy.
Literally 'to cut ties', often used for family or long-standing relationships. Can imply a strong, sometimes dramatic, break.
彼は家族と縁を切った。
He put an end to ties with his family.