terminar
/teɾmiˈnaɾ/
The English phrase 'get done' is translated into Spanish as terminar.
terminar is used to express the act of finishing a task or completing a piece of work.
Which one should you use?
The verb acabar is a common synonym for terminar and can be used interchangeably to mean finishing a task.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say you have finished performing a specific action, use the construction terminar de followed by the infinitive of that action. The first-person singular preterite form of terminar is terminé.
How do you pronounce it?
/teɾmiˈnaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, using acabar to mean 'get done' can carry a sexual double entendre, making terminar the safer choice in professional settings.
- The word terminar is related to the Roman god Terminus, who was the deity of boundary markers and the end of roads.
- While terminar and acabar both mean 'to finish', using acabar with de creates a completely different meaning, describing something that has just happened in the very recent past.
Examples in context
- Es importante terminar el proyecto a tiempo.It's important to get the project done on time.
- Debemos completar todas las tareas antes de finalizar el día.We must complete all the tasks before the day ends.
- ¡Vamos, hay que hacer las compras antes de que cierre la tienda!Let's go, we need to get the shopping done before the store closes!
- Terminé de lavar los platos.I finished doing the dishes.
- Voy a hacer la tareaI am going to get the homework done
- Acabo el informeI finish the report
- He terminado el trabajo.I have finished the work.
- Tengo que terminar el informe hoy.I have to get the report done today.
- Ella quiere terminar su tarea pronto.She wants to get her homework done soon.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking in their living room about their chores.
- Mateo¿Vas a terminar de estudiar ahora?Are you going to get your studying done now?
- SofíaSí, quiero terminar rápido para descansar.Yes, I want to get it done quickly to rest.
- MateoEstá bien, yo terminaré de lavar los platos.Okay, I will get the dishes done.
- SofíaGracias, Mateo, eres muy amable.Thanks, Mateo, you are very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry terminar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
