How to Say Unfinished Business in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to expand your Spanish vocabulary and learn how to express the concept of unfinished business? Look no further! In this guide, we will explore various ways to say unfinished business in Spanish, both formally and informally. We will also introduce examples, tips, and occasional regional variations to help you become fluent in this particular phrase. So, let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Say Unfinished Business in Spanish

When expressing unfinished business in formal settings, it’s important to use proper language and adhere to formalities. Here are some formal phrases you can use:

1. Pendiente – This is the most commonly used and versatile word for unfinished business in Spanish. It can be used in various contexts, such as work, personal matters, or projects. For example, “Tengo pendientes en el trabajo” translates to “I have unfinished business at work.”
2. Trabajo inconcluso – This translates directly to “unfinished work” and is commonly used in professional settings. For instance, you could say, “Tenemos varios trabajos inconclusos que debemos terminar” to convey “We have several unfinished projects to complete.”
3. Tareas pendientes – When referring to unfinished tasks, you can use this phrase, which translates to “pending tasks.” For example, “Tengo varias tareas pendientes en casa” means “I have multiple pending tasks at home.”
4. Asuntos sin resolver – This phrase is perfect for expressing unresolved matters or issues. For instance, if you want to say “We need to address these unresolved matters,” you can say “Debemos tratar estos asuntos sin resolver.”

Remember, when using formal expressions, ensure proper conjugation and match them appropriately to gender and number.

Informal Ways to Say Unfinished Business in Spanish

In more casual or informal conversations, you can use these phrases to express the concept of unfinished business:

1. Cosas pendientes – This is a straightforward and commonly used phrase meaning “pending things.” You can say, “Tengo cosas pendientes que hacer” to mean “I have things left to do.”
2. Asuntos inconclusos – Similar to the formal phrase, this expression translates to “unfinished matters.” For example, “Tenemos asuntos inconclusos que resolver” means “We have unfinished matters to solve.”
3. La tarea sin terminar – If you want to specifically emphasize an unfinished task, this phrase translates to “the task that’s not finished.” You can say something like, “Olvidé hacer la tarea, está sin terminar” to convey “I forgot to do my homework, it’s unfinished.”
4. Pega pendiente – In some Latin American countries, especially in Central America, you might hear this slightly colloquial phrase that translates to “pending issue.” For instance, “Tengo una pega pendiente” can mean “I have a pending issue” or “I have something pending.”

Regional Variations

Spanish is spoken in various regions around the world, leading to some regional variations in vocabulary. While the phrases mentioned above are widely understood, here are a few regional variations:

• Asunto sin terminar – In some regions, you might hear this phrase instead of “asunto inconcluso.” Both mean “unfinished matter.”
• Cosas por hacer – In certain countries, particularly in South America, you may come across this phrase, which translates directly to “things to do.” It’s used to express unfinished business.
• Deberes pendientes – As an alternative to “tareas pendientes,” you might hear this phrase in certain regions, particularly in Spain. It means “pending homework” or “unfinished assignments.”

Examples and Usage Tips

To help you understand the usage of these phrases, here are some examples demonstrating their practical application:

Formal Examples:

• “Tengo varias reuniones pendientes para hoy.” (I have several pending meetings for today.)
• “El informe de ventas de la semana pasada sigue siendo un trabajo inconcluso.” (The sales report from last week is still unfinished work.)
• “Nos quedan algunas tareas pendientes antes de finalizar el proyecto.” (We have a few pending tasks before completing the project.)
• “Debemos ocuparnos de los asuntos sin resolver antes de proceder.” (We need to address the unresolved matters before moving forward.)

Informal Examples:

• “Tengo muchas cosas pendientes para mañana, ¡no me da tiempo!” (I have a lot of pending things for tomorrow, I won’t have enough time!)
• “No podemos tener asuntos inconclusos, debemos resolverlos pronto.” (We can’t have unfinished matters, we need to solve them soon.)
• “Mi proyecto quedó a medias, tengo la tarea sin terminar.” (My project was left unfinished, I have the task incomplete.)
• “Tenemos una pega pendiente, debemos resolverla antes de que sea tarde.” (We have a pending issue, we need to solve it before it’s too late.)

In Summary

Learning how to express unfinished business in Spanish will immensely broaden your language skills. Remember, in formal situations, phrases like “pendiente,” “trabajo inconcluso,” and “tareas pendientes” are recommended. However, in informal conversations, you can opt for phrases like “cosas pendientes,” “asuntos inconclusos,” or “la tarea sin terminar.” While these phrases are widely understood, some regional variations may include “asunto sin terminar,” “cosas por hacer,” or “deberes pendientes.”

Now that you have this comprehensive guide at your disposal, you can confidently navigate Spanish conversations and eloquently express the concept of unfinished business. ¡Buena suerte!