end

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 終 has 11 strokes and expresses an activity or period coming to an end.
• Basic usage: 終わる is read おわる, and 終える is read おえる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• What ends and what someone completes
  • 仕事が終わったら means when the work is finished.
  • が marks the activity that ends.
  • 宿題を終えるつもりです means intend to finish the homework.
  • 終える describes someone completing an activity, with を marking that activity.