Translation and Meaning of: 了 - ryou

The Japanese word 「了」 (ryou) is a kanji that has the main meaning of "completed" or "finished." This kanji is frequently used in contexts where it indicates that an action has been completed or that a certain condition has been achieved. In the Japanese language, 「了」 is one of the simplest ways to denote the conclusion of a process, providing an efficient way to convey this idea in written and spoken communication.

In etymology, the kanji 「了」 is formed from visual elements that represent the idea of something coming to an end. Historically, its use can be traced back to older forms of Chinese writing, where it served to clearly communicate the notion of closure or completion. Despite its simplicity, this ideogram plays an important role in the construction of compound words and is common in everyday expressions that deal with the idea of finalization.

Analyzing its application and usage in modern Japanese, the kanji 「了」 is commonly seen together with other kanjis forming compound words, such as 「終了」 (shūryou), which means "end" or "conclusion," and 「了解」 (ryoukai), which means "understanding" or "comprehension," typically used to indicate that an instruction has been received and understood. These words formed from 「了」 expand its impact and applicability, offering nuances that are essential in various communicative situations.

Moreover, 「了」 can appear in more casual situations, such as in text messages, where its simplicity and efficiency help convey a state of clarity and certainty quickly and unambiguously. In terms of language learning, understanding the use and meaning of this kanji can be a useful tool for those looking to master written and spoken communication in Japanese, since its application can be seen in multiple contexts, ranging from business to everyday situations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 完了 (Kanryou) - Completed, finished.
• 終了 (Shuuryou) - Closure, completion of something.
• 済了 (Zairyou) - Completed, resolved.
• 終わり (Owari) - End, conclusion, conclusion.
• 終わる (Owaru) - Finish, end.
• 終える (Oeru) - Finish, conclude something.
• 終止 (Shuushi) - Stop, interruption (usually in the context of movement or continuity).
• 終点 (Shuuten) - Period, final destination of a journey.
• 終末 (Shuumatsu) - Weekend, but it can also mean the end of something important like an era.
• 終焉 (Shuuen) - End of life, death, meaningful conclusion...
• 終わった (Owaratta) - It’s over, it ended.
• 終わっている (Owaratte iru) - It is finished (continuous form of the verb to finish).
• 終わらせる (Owaraseru) - Cause the end, make something stop.
• 終わらない (Owaranai) - Do not finish, continue.
• 終わりにする (Owari ni suru) - Deciding to end, making the end a decision.
• 終わりの始まり (Owari no hajimari) - The beginning of the end, the transition from one state to another.

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了

Romaji: ryou
Kana: りょう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: finishing; conclusion; understanding

Meaning in English: finish;completion;understanding

Definition: A word that indicates that something has ended or been concluded.

Example Sentences - (了) ryou

See below some example sentences:

私たちは目標を達成しました。すべてが完了しました。

Watashitachi wa mokuhyō o tassei shimashita. Subete ga ryō deshita

We reached our goal. Everything is finished.

We achieved our goals. Everything has been completed.

• 私たちは - We
• 目標を - objective
• 達成しました - we reached
• すべてが - everything
• 完了しました - has been completed

復旧作業が完了しました。

Fukkyū sagyō ga kanryō shimashita

The recovery operation has completed.

The recovery job has been completed.

• 復旧作業 - restoration work
• が - subject particle
• 完了 - conclusion, finalization
• しました - past form of the verb "suru" (to do)

了承いたしました。

Ryoushou itashimashita

Understood

I agreed.

• 了承 - consent, agreement
• いたしました - polite and humble form of the verb "to do"

私は大学を修了しました。

Watashi wa daigaku wo shuuryou shimashita

I graduated from the university.

I completed college.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 大学 - noun meaning "university"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "university"
• 修了 - verb meaning "to graduate"
• しました - past form of the verb "to do", indicating that the action has been completed

相続に関する手続きを完了しました。

Sōzoku ni kansuru tetsuzuki o kanryō shimashita

The procedure for inheritance has been completed.

The procedure for inheritance has been completed.

• 相続 (souzoku) - inheritance, succession
• に関する (ni kansuru) - related to, about
• 手続き (tetsuzuki) - procedure, process
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 完了 (kanryou) - conclusion, finalization
• しました (shimashita) - past tense of the verb "to do"

清算が完了しました。

Seisan ga kanryou shimashita

The settlement was completed.

The settlement was completed.

• 清算 (seisan) - liquidation
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 完了 (kanryou) - conclusion
• しました (shimashita) - past tense of the verb "to do"

整備が完了しました。

Seibi ga kanryou shimashita

The maintenance has been completed.

The maintenance has been completed.

• 整備 - maintenance, repair
• が - subject particle
• 完了 - conclusion, finalization
• しました - polite past form of the verb "suru" (to do)

この商品の販売は終了しました。

Kono shouhin no hanbai wa shuuryou shimashita

The sale of this product was closed.

The sale of this product is over.

• この商品の販売 - Sale of this product
• は - Topic particle
• 終了 - End, finish
• しました - The past form of the verb "する" (to do) is "did."

了解しました

Ryōkai shimashita

Understood.

I understood

• 了解 - means "understood" or "comprehended" in Japanese.
• しました - is the past form of the verb "to do" in Japanese, indicating that the action of "understanding" has already been completed.

作業が完了しました。

Sagyō ga kanryō shimashita

The work was completed.

• 作業 (sagyō) - work, task
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 完了 (kanryō) - conclusion, finalization
• しました (shimashita) - Polite past tense of the verb "to do."