끝내다 vs 마치다

“finish”: 끝내다 or 마치다?

Source-verified September 7, 2026. AI-assisted and checked against NIKL dictionary sources.

The quick answer

Either can finish a task. 끝내다 has two extra senses.

끝내다

Finish a task, spend a set period, or end a relationship.

김 과장은 일을 끝내자마자 퇴근해서 약속 장소로 향했다.

Manager Kim left work and headed to his appointment as soon as he finished the task.

마치다

Finish a task or process.

나는 수업을 마치자마자 서둘러 집으로 돌아갔다.

I hurried home as soon as I finished class.

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Sources and method

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Source examples are adapted from the National Institute of Korean Language's Korean-English Learners' Dictionary under its Attribution-ShareAlike terms.

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