¿Terminaste?
In Spanish, "are you finished?" can be expressed as ¿Terminaste?
This phrase is used to ask if someone has completed a task or activity.
Which one should you use?
The default form ¿Terminaste? is an informal way to ask if someone has completed a task or an activity, whereas ¿Terminó usted? is the formal version used to be more polite. You may also use ¿Has terminado? to specifically ask "Have you finished?" using the present perfect tense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and parts of Central America, you may hear the variation ¿Acabaste tú? In Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Central America, the phrase ¿Terminaste vos? is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form ¿Terminaste? is in the preterite tense, which refers to a completed action in the past.
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, ¡Terminaste! can be used as an exclamation to mean 'you are doomed' or 'it is over for you' rather than a question about a task.
- The verb terminar shares a root with the English word 'terminal'. Both come from the Latin 'terminus', meaning a boundary or a limit.
- The verb Terminar can also be used to mean 'to end' a relationship, so asking ¿Terminaste? might sound like you are asking if someone has broken up with a partner.
Examples in context
- Estoy casi terminando el libro. ¿Terminaste?I'm almost done with the book. Are you finished?
- ¿Acabaste con tu tarea?Are you finished with your homework?
- Disculpe, ¿ha terminado el informe?Excuse me, have you finished the report?
- Señora, ¿ha acabado de firmar los documentos?Madam, have you finished signing the documents?
