Forgetting 'de'

To say you finished an action, use the pattern 'terminar de' followed by the base form of the other verb. For example, 'Terminé de comer' means 'I finished eating'.

Saying you 'finished doing' something

Use 'terminar' not just for things you do, but also for events that end on their own. For instance, 'La clase termina a las 2' (The class ends at 2) or 'El verano está terminando' (Summer is ending).

For Actions and Events

Extremely common. One of the first verbs you'll learn and use daily.

To talk about breaking up, the magic formula is 'terminar con' followed by the person. For example, 'Él terminó con ella' (He broke up with her).

The Key Phrase: 'terminar con'

You can say 'Ellos terminaron' (They broke up) to show it was a mutual decision or the end result. To show who initiated it, you use 'terminar con [alguien]'.

Mutual or One-Sided?

Very common in the context of relationships.

This use of 'terminar' is perfect for explaining the final, often unexpected, result of a situation. You can follow it with a place ('en la playa'), a state ('cansado'), or another action ('siendo amigos').

Describing Final Outcomes

In this specific meaning of 'to end up', 'acabar' is a very common synonym. You could say 'Acabamos en un pueblo pequeño' and it would mean the same thing.

'Acabar' vs. 'Terminar'

Common in storytelling and when describing outcomes.

Learn how to use the Spanish verb 'terminar'. See full conjugations, examples for 'to finish', 'to break up with', and 'to end up', and discover the difference between 'terminar' and 'acabar'.

terminar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

preterite

imperfect

future

conditional

subjunctive

present

imperfect

imperative

affirmative

negative

Practice Conjugations