Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to finish" in Korean: 끝내다
끝내다kkeutnaeda
to finish in Korean is 끝내다 (kkeutnaeda). 끝내다 means finish something; 끝나다 means come to an end.
to finish: an everyday statement
숙제를 끝내요.sukjereul kkeunnaeyo.
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How to pronounce 끝내다
Say it
kkeutnaeda
/k͈ɯnnɛta/
Read 끝내다 as kkeutnaeda. The spoken form 끝내요 is kkeunnaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to finish" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 끝내다kkeutnaeda | to finish Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 끝내요kkeunnaeyo | to finish (polite present) Use 끝내요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 끝내요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 끝냈어요kkeunnaesseoyo | to finish (polite past) Use 끝냈어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 끝냈어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 끝내다 in real life
- 1to finish: an everyday statement
숙제를 끝내요.
sukjereul kkeunnaeyo.
I finish my homework.
끝내요 is the present form of 끝내다.
- 2to finish: a different situation
어제 일을 일찍 끝냈어요.
eoje ireul iljjik kkeunnaesseoyo.
I finished work early yesterday.
끝냈어요 is the past form of 끝내다.
- 3to finish: a question or request
몇 시에 끝내요?
myeot sie kkeunnaeyo?
At what time do you finish it?
끝내요 is the present form of 끝내다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 끝내다
Incorrect: 끝내다.
Correct: 끝내요.
When practicing to finish, 끝내다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 끝내요.
Incorrect: 어제 끝내요.
Correct: 어제 끝냈어요.
When practicing to finish, for a completed event yesterday, use 끝냈어요; the present form 끝내요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
끝내다 means finish something; 끝나다 means come to an end. 끝내요 is the polite conversational form of 끝내다; 끝냈어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 끝내다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
숙제를 끝내요.
sukjereul kkeunnaeyo.
I finish my homework.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 일을 일찍 끝냈어요.
eoje ireul iljjik kkeunnaesseoyo.
I finished work early yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to finish" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to finish" in Korean
How do I use 끝내다 in polite speech?
끝내요 is the polite conversational form of 끝내다; 끝냈어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 끝내다 in a past-tense sentence?
끝냈어요 is the polite past form. 끝내다 means finish something; 끝나다 means come to an end.
What does 끝내요 mean here?
끝내요 is used for to finish. For example, 숙제를 끝내요. means “I finish my homework.”
What should I remember about 끝내다?
끝내다 means finish something; 끝나다 means come to an end.
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