ho finito
To say "I am finished" in Italian, you say ho finito.
This phrase is used to express that you have completed a specific task or activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ho finito is literally "I have finished", which uses the auxiliary verb avere (to have) rather than the verb for "to be".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to say you have finished doing something, use the construction ho finito di followed by the infinitive of the verb (for example, ho finito di leggere).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly say sono finito when they mean they have completed a task. However, in Italian, sono finito implies that a person is "done for", ruined or has reached a dead end.
Did you know?
- The word finito comes from the Latin fīnītus, which is also the root of the English word 'finite'.
- In a restaurant, if you want to signal that you have finished your meal so the waiter can take your plate, you might use ho finito or simply place your cutlery in a specific parallel position on the plate.
- The word finito is also used in art and design to describe the 'finish' or the quality of the final surface of a sculpture or painting.
Examples in context
- Ho finito di leggere tutti i libri di questa biblioteca.I am finished reading all of the books in this library.This sentence shows how to use the phrase when describing the completion of a reading task with ho finito.Tatoeba #11033315 by Guybrush88, translation #9673085 by ravensfeather
- Ho finito.I am finished.This sentence shows a simple, standalone use of ho finito.Tatoeba #1996879 by Guybrush88, translation #11386379 by Agestur
- Ho finito di preparare la cena.I have finished preparing dinner.
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are in the kitchen after cooking.
- MatteoHo finito di cucinare, Sofia.I have finished cooking, Sofia.
- SofiaOttimo, Matteo, andiamo a tavola!Great, Matteo, let's go to the table!
- MatteoHai finito anche tu di apparecchiare?Have you finished setting the table too?
- SofiaSì, tutto pronto.Yes, everything is ready.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries finito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
