completar
/kom-ple-TAR/
to complete
Use "completar" when you finish a task or goal, like completing a list of chores.
completar(verb)
to complete
?a task, a goal, a process
,to finish
?a project or goal
to achieve
?a required amount or level
📝 In Action
Necesito completar la tarea antes de irme.
A1I need to complete the homework before I leave.
Ella completó el maratón en menos de cuatro horas.
A2She finished the marathon in less than four hours.
¿Puedes completar las instrucciones que faltan?
B1Can you complete the missing instructions?
💡 Grammar Points
A Regular Verb
Since 'completar' is a regular '-ar' verb, it follows the most common Spanish conjugation pattern, making it easy to learn.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Terminar' vs. 'Completar'
Mistake: "Using 'Terminar' when you mean 'to make whole' (e.g., 'Terminar la colección')."
Correction: 'Completar' often implies filling a gap or reaching 100%, while 'terminar' just means stopping or ending something.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Wholeness
Think of 'completar' when you are making something full, whole, or finished to a required standard (like completing a puzzle or a mission).
You need to "completar" a form or questionnaire by filling in the necessary information.
📝 In Action
Antes de la entrevista, debe completar la solicitud.
A2Before the interview, you must fill out the application.
Asegúrate de completar todos los campos obligatorios.
B1Make sure to fill in all the required fields.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Direct Object
The thing you are filling out (the form, the survey) is usually the direct object: 'Voy a completar el formulario.' (I am going to complete the form.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
When dealing with official paperwork or forms, 'completar' is often the most professional and exact verb choice.
Use "completar" when you round out a collection or make a set whole.
completar(verb)
to round out
?to make a set whole
,to supplement
?to add what is needed
to make up the number
?to reach a required quantity
📝 In Action
Ese libro completa la trilogía que estabas buscando.
B1That book rounds out the trilogy you were looking for.
Necesitamos un jugador más para completar el equipo.
B2We need one more player to make up the team.
💡 Grammar Points
Often Used Impersonally
This meaning often appears in sentences describing what is missing: 'Solo falta un detalle para completar la escena.' (Only one detail is missing to complete the scene.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Missing Piece
Use 'completar' when one final item or person is added to turn an incomplete group into a perfect, finished whole.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: completar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'completar' in the sense of 'filling out a form'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'completar' different from 'terminar'?
Yes, slightly. 'Terminar' simply means to stop or end. 'Completar' specifically means to finish something by making it whole, full, or reaching a required goal. For example, you 'terminar' a conversation, but you 'completar' a puzzle.
Does 'completar' require any special changes when conjugating?
No, that's the good news! 'Completar' is a regular '-ar' verb, so it follows all the standard conjugation rules perfectly, making it very straightforward to use in any tense.