terminé
/tɛʁ.mi.ne/
The English word "completed" is translated into French as terminé.
Meaning: finished (adj)
Which one should you use?
While terminé and fini are often interchangeable, terminé often implies a more formal or structured completion of a task or process.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, terminé must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use terminée for feminine singular nouns, terminés for masculine plural nouns and terminées for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /tɛʁ.mi.ne/.
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might say 'I am done' to mean they are finished, using the French equivalent Je suis terminé can sound like you are expressing that you are exhausted or defeated.
- While terminé means 'completed', the word terminus refers to the final stop on a bus or train line, sharing the same linguistic root.
- When a French person says c'est terminé regarding a project, they may use a hand gesture of chopping the air with their palm to signal a definitive end.
Examples in context
- As-tu terminé tes devoirs ?Have you completed your homework?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has completed their homework using terminé.Tatoeba #905929 by sacredceltic, translation #4960770 by Chackoony
- Enfin, j'ai terminé mon travail.At last, I completed my work.This sentence shows the use of terminé to express that work has been completed.Tatoeba #1292336 by sacredceltic, translation #39890 by CK
- Est-ce que le travail est terminé ?Is the work completed?This sentence demonstrates how to ask if a piece of work is completed using terminé.Tatoeba #9077752 by Aiji, translation #5938979 by CK
- Le projet est terminé.The project is completed.
- Les formalités sont finalisées.The paperwork is completed.
- Le tableau est achevé.The painting is completed.
- Le contrat est exécuté.The contract is completed.
- J'ai fini mes devoirs.I've completed my homework.
- J'ai terminé le travail.I'm done with work.
- J'ai fini mes corvées.I finished my chores.
- Elle a terminé la tâche.She completed the task.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are at home after a busy day.
- GabrielTu as terminé de lire ce livre ?Have you finished reading this book?
- EmmaOui, c'est enfin terminé.Yes, it is finally finished.
- GabrielC'est super, Emma.That's great, Emma.
- EmmaMaintenant, je peux me reposer.Now, I can rest.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry terminé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
