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terminado

/ter-mee-NAH-doh/

finished

A small, brightly colored wooden house that is fully built and complete, with a tiny celebratory flag on the roof.

As an adjective, terminado means finished or completed, describing a task or project like this newly built house.

terminado(Adjective)

mA2

finished

?

describing a task or object

,

completed

?

for projects, forms, etc.

,

over

?

for events like a movie or party

Also:

done

?

general, informal

📝 In Action

El trabajo ya está terminado.

A2

The work is already finished.

Cuando llegué, la película ya había terminado.

B1

When I arrived, the movie was already over.

Por fin, la casa está terminada.

A2

Finally, the house is completed.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • acabado (finished)
  • concluido (concluded)
  • finalizado (finalized)

Antonyms

  • incompleto (incomplete)
  • empezado (started)
  • pendiente (pending)

Common Collocations

  • trabajo terminado – finished work
  • proyecto terminado – completed project
  • dar por terminado – to consider something finished/over

💡 Grammar Points

Making it Match

When used as a word to describe something, 'terminado' must match the thing it describes. Use 'terminada' for feminine things (la tarea terminada), 'terminados' for plural masculine things (los trabajos terminados), and 'terminadas' for plural feminine things (las clases terminadas).

Use 'Estar', not 'Ser'

To say something is finished, you'll almost always use the verb 'estar'. Think of 'finished' as a state or condition. For example, 'El informe está terminado' (The report is finished).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting to Change the Ending

Mistake: "La tarea está terminado."

Correction: La tarea está terminada. Because 'tarea' is a feminine word, the describing word 'terminado' needs to change to 'terminada' to match.

A person sitting at a wooden desk with a satisfied expression. Their school books are stacked neatly and closed, and their pen is resting on the desk, indicating the task is finished.

As a past participle, terminado is used with 'haber' to mean 'have finished,' such as 'He terminado mis deberes' (I have finished my homework).

terminado(Past Participle of 'terminar')

A2

finished

?

as in 'I have finished'

📝 In Action

He terminado mis deberes.

A2

I have finished my homework.

¿Ya has terminado de comer?

A2

Have you finished eating yet?

Ellos nunca habían terminado un maratón antes.

B1

They had never finished a marathon before.

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Have Done' Form

'Terminado' teams up with the verb 'haber' (he, has, ha, etc.) to talk about things that have happened. This is your go-to for talking about completed past actions, just like 'I have finished' in English.

Always Stays the Same

When you use 'terminado' with 'haber', it never changes its ending. It's always 'terminado', even if you're talking about a feminine or plural thing. For example, 'He terminado la tarea' and 'He terminado los proyectos'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Changing the Ending with 'Haber'

Mistake: "Ella ha terminada la carta."

Correction: Ella ha terminado la carta. When it follows a form of 'haber' (like 'ha'), the past participle always stays in the masculine singular form ('-o').

A cartoonish figure lying flat on their back on the ground, completely motionless and wiped out after a long effort.

Informally, terminado can mean exhausted or worn out, describing a state of extreme tiredness.

terminado(Adjective)

mB2

exhausted

?

describing a person's energy level

,

worn out

?

for people or things

Also:

wiped out

?

colloquial

,

spent

?

figurative

,

finished

?

figurative, as in 'done for'

📝 In Action

Después de trabajar 12 horas, estoy terminado.

B1

After working 12 hours, I'm exhausted.

Este coche está terminado, no creo que arranque.

B2

This car is finished, I don't think it will start.

Las chicas llegaron terminadas del viaje.

B2

The girls arrived worn out from the trip.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • agotado (exhausted)
  • exhausto (exhausted)
  • reventado (burst, wiped out (slang))

Antonyms

  • fresco (fresh)
  • descansado (rested)

💡 Grammar Points

Describing a State of Being

Just like when it means 'finished', this meaning uses the verb 'estar' because being exhausted is a temporary state. 'Estoy terminado' (I'm exhausted).

⭐ Usage Tips

A Bit Dramatic

This is a great way to add a little emphasis to how tired you are. It's stronger than saying 'estoy cansado' (I'm tired). Think of it like saying 'I'm completely wiped out!' in English.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: terminado

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'terminado' to talk about a completed action with 'haber'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

terminar(to finish, to end) - verb
término(term, end, word) - noun
terminal(terminal) - adjective/noun
terminación(ending, termination) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'terminado' and 'acabado'?

They are very similar and often interchangeable for 'finished'. 'Terminado' can sometimes sound slightly more formal or suggest the completion of a defined process (like a project). 'Acabado' is very common in everyday speech. For most situations, you can use either one.

Why do you say 'la tarea está terminada' but 'he terminado la tarea'?

Great question! It's about the job the word is doing. In 'la tarea está terminada', it's an adjective describing the noun 'tarea', so it has to match ('-a' for '-a'). In 'he terminado la tarea', it's part of the verb phrase 'he terminado' (I have finished). When it's with 'haber' (he, has, ha...), it always stays 'terminado'.