заканчивать vs кончать

zakanchivat vs konchat — finish/complete vs finish, often colloquial

What it really means

Заканчивать is the neutral, broadly safe verb for finishing or completing a task, class, book, or period. Кончать can also mean finish or stop, but is more colloquial and can sound blunt. In modern usage, its sexual meaning makes it unsuitable in formal settings and potentially awkward outside clear context.

Examples in natural speech

Я заканчиваю работу в шесть.
I finish work at six.
Мы закончили проект вчера.
We finished the project yesterday.
Урок заканчивается через десять минут.
The lesson ends in ten minutes.
Кончай шуметь!
Stop making noise!
Он кончил читать и выключил свет.
He finished reading and turned off the light.

Common mistakes

Do not treat кончать as a neutral synonym everywhere. Prefer заканчивать in professional, written, or ambiguous situations. Кончать is common in commands such as Кончай! (“Stop it!”), but can have an unwanted sexual sense.

Memory tip

Use заканчивать when in doubt; reserve colloquial кончать for clear, informal contexts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between заканчивать and кончать?

Both can mean finish, but заканчивать is neutral and safer. Кончать is more colloquial and can be blunt or ambiguous.

How do you say stop it in Russian?

A colloquial option is Кончай! For a neutral request, use Перестань! or Хватит!

Which verb should learners use for finish work?

Use заканчивать работу or закончить работу. It is appropriate in all registers.

Note: This site uses JavaScript for interactive drills, audio playback, and progress tracking. Please enable JavaScript for the full experience.