Inklingo

How to Say "done" in Spanish

English → Spanish

hecha

AY-chah/ˈe.tʃa/

AdjectiveA1general
Use 'hecha' when referring to a completed task, assignment, or action that is now finished and verifiable.
A simple drawing of a piece of paper with a list of tasks, where the final box next to the last task is filled with a large checkmark, symbolizing completion.

Examples

La tarea está hecha, por fin puedo descansar.

The homework is done; I can finally rest.

¿La comida ya está hecha? ¡Tengo mucha hambre!

Is the food ready yet? I'm very hungry!

Feminine Agreement

As the feminine singular form, 'hecha' must agree with a feminine singular noun, like 'la casa' or 'la cena'.

Ser vs. Estar

When used to mean 'finished' or 'ready', 'hecha' almost always pairs with 'estar' because it describes the temporary state or result of an action.

Using the Masculine Form

Mistake:La mesa está hecho.

Correction: La mesa está hecha. (Because 'mesa' is feminine, the participle must be too.)

listo

/lees-toh//ˈlisto/

AdjectiveA1general
Use 'listo' to indicate that something, like food or a plan, is ready or prepared to be used or started.
A cartoon illustration of a track runner crouched low at the starting block, looking focused and poised, ready to begin the race.

Examples

La cena está casi lista.

Dinner is almost ready.

¿Estás listo para salir?

Are you ready to go out?

¡He terminado! ¡Listo!

I've finished! Done!

Always Use with 'Estar'

To say that someone or something is ready, you must use the verb 'estar'. Think of 'ready' as a temporary state, and 'estar' is the verb for states and conditions. For example, 'Estoy listo' (I am ready).

Matching Gender and Number

Like most adjectives, 'listo' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'lista' for feminine singular (la cena está lista), 'listos' for masculine plural (estamos listos), and 'listas' for feminine plural (las maletas están listas).

Using 'Ser' Instead of 'Estar'

Mistake:Soy listo para el examen.

Correction: Estoy listo para el examen. Using 'ser' changes the meaning completely to 'I am a smart person for the exam,' which doesn't make sense. For the state of being 'ready,' always use 'estar'.

terminado

/ter-mee-NAH-doh//teɾ.miˈna.ðo/

AdjectiveA2informal
Use 'terminado' as a general, informal term for something that has come to an end or been completed.
A small, brightly colored wooden house that is fully built and complete, with a tiny celebratory flag on the roof.

Examples

El trabajo ya está terminado.

The work is already finished.

Cuando llegué, la película ya había terminado.

When I arrived, the movie was already over.

Por fin, la casa está terminada.

Finally, the house is completed.

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).

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.

cometido

/ko-me-TEE-do//ko.meˈti.ðo/

Past participleA2general
Use 'cometido' specifically when referring to the past participle of 'cometer', meaning to commit or carry out an action, often a mistake or crime.
A stylized hand pressing a large, definitive red button mounted on a pedestal, symbolizing an action that has been committed or completed.

Examples

Hemos cometido un error grave.

We have committed a serious mistake.

El crimen cometido por el ladrón fue imperdonable.

The crime committed by the thief was unforgivable.

¿Quién había cometido la falta?

Who had made the mistake?

Forming Perfect Tenses

You need 'cometido' to form tenses like the Present Perfect: haber (conjugated) + cometido. Example: Ha cometido (He/She has committed).

Using it as an Adjective

When used to describe a noun (like 'the mistake made'), it must match the noun's gender and number: la falta cometida (f, singular), los errores cometidos (m, plural).

Using 'Cometir' for Everything

Mistake:Using *cometer* for simple actions like 'commit to a plan.'

Correction: In Spanish, *cometer* is usually reserved for negative actions (crimes, errors, sins). For positive commitment, use *comprometerse* or *dedicarse*.

Mistaking 'hecha'/'terminado' for 'listo'

Learners often confuse 'hecha' or 'terminado' with 'listo'. Remember that 'listo' means 'ready' or 'prepared', while 'hecha' and 'terminado' refer to something that is actually finished or completed.

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