заканчивать vs закончить

zakanchivat vs zakonchit — finish as a process/repeated action vs finish once

What it really means

Зака́нчивать is imperfective and describes finishing as a process, a repeated routine, or a general schedule: "Я заканчиваю работу в шесть" (I finish work at six). Зако́нчить is perfective and presents one task, course, or event as completed: "Я закончил работу" (I finished the work).

The pair can describe both finishing something and reaching the end of an institution or period. Use заканчивать when the timing or repeated pattern matters, and закончить when the result matters. Unlike English "finish doing," Russian commonly uses закончить + infinitive or noun: закончить читать книгу, закончить работу.

Examples in natural speech

Я заканчиваю работу в шесть часов.
I finish work at six o'clock.
Мы заканчиваем занятия поздно.
We finish classes late.
Она закончила читать книгу.
She finished reading the book.
Когда ты закончишь проект?
When will you finish the project?
Он закончил университет в прошлом году.
He graduated from university last year.
Не заканчивай разговор так быстро.
Don't end the conversation so quickly.

Common mistakes

Do not use заканчивать when you mean that a particular task is now complete: "Я закончил домашнее задание" is the normal result statement. Do not confuse the future form закончу with a present tense; perfective verbs use their present-looking forms for future completion.

Memory tip

Заканчивать focuses on the finishing routine or process; закончить marks the completed result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between заканчивать and закончить in Russian?

Заканчивать is imperfective for finishing as a process, repeated schedule, or general activity. Закончить is perfective for completing one task, course, or event.

How do you say I finished my homework in Russian?

Say "Я закончил домашнее задание" for a male speaker or "Я закончила домашнее задание" for a female speaker. The perfective form states that the work is complete.

How do you say what time do you finish work in Russian?

Say "Во сколько ты заканчиваешь работу?" The imperfective is natural for a regular work schedule.

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