fines

/FEE-nes/

purposes

A small figure standing at the bottom of a hill, looking up at a bright flag planted at the summit, representing a goal.

The word fines can mean purposes or goals.

fines(noun)

mB2

purposes

goals or objectives

aims

intentions

Also:

ends

the ultimate goal

📝 In Action

Los fines de la organización son promover la educación.

The purposes of the organization are to promote education.

Debemos recordar los fines éticos de la ciencia.

We must remember the ethical aims of science.

Todo lo que hacemos tiene fines comerciales.

Everything we do has commercial ends (or purposes).

Word Connections

Synonyms

objetivos (objectives)
metas (goals)

Common Collocations

con fines de lucro – for profit (with profit aims)
para fines didácticos – for teaching purposes

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

This meaning uses the plural 'fines' much more often than the singular 'fin,' especially when discussing goals or intentions.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Fines' and 'Fin'

Mistake: "Using 'el fin' when you mean 'the goals.'"

Correction: Use 'los fines' when talking about aims (Los fines de la reunión). Use 'el fin' when talking about the actual end point (El fin de la película).

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Contexts

If you are writing an essay, a legal document, or a business proposal, 'fines' is the perfect word to describe your overarching goals.

A winding road made of cobblestones leading to a closed, decorative wooden gate set against a setting sun, symbolizing the end of a period.

The word fines also translates to ends, often referring to the end points of a time period, like the end of the week.

fines(noun)

mA1

ends

end points of a time period

Also:

weekends

only when used as 'fines de semana'

📝 In Action

Los fines de semana me gusta dormir hasta tarde.

On weekends, I like to sleep in late.

Viajaremos a fines de este mes.

We will travel toward the end of this month.

A fines de la década, todo cambió.

Toward the end of the decade, everything changed.

Word Connections

Synonyms

finales (ends (of periods))

Common Collocations

fines de semana largos – long weekends
a fines de año – at the end of the year

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Weekend' Phrase

The most common way to say 'weekend' is 'fin de semana' (singular). However, when you talk about 'weekends' in general, you use the plural: 'los fines de semana'.

Time Expression

Use the preposition 'a' (a fines de) to mean 'towards the end of' a time period (like a year or a month).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular for Weekends

Mistake: "Saying 'El fin de semana me gusta...' when you mean every weekend."

Correction: If you mean a recurring habit, use the plural: 'Los fines de semana me gusta...' (On weekends I like...). The singular usually refers to one specific upcoming weekend.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: fines

Question 1 of 2

¿Cuál es el mejor uso de 'fines' en esta frase: 'La nueva ley tiene _____ proteger al consumidor.'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

fin(end, finish) - noun

final(final, ending) - adjective/noun

finalizar(to finish, to conclude) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'fin' and 'fines'?

'Fin' (singular) usually means a single, literal 'end' (like the end of a movie). 'Fines' (plural) is used for two main things: 1) The abstract meaning of 'purposes' or 'goals' (Los fines de la ciencia). 2) The plural time expression 'los fines de semana' (weekends).

How do I say 'weekend' in Spanish?

Use the singular phrase 'el fin de semana' (the weekend). If you are talking about weekends in general or recurring actions, use the plural 'los fines de semana'.