Inklingo

How to Say "end" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “end” is “fin” — use 'fin' for the most general sense of an ending, like the conclusion of a book, movie, or a period of time.

fin🔊A1

Use 'fin' for the most general sense of an ending, like the conclusion of a book, movie, or a period of time.

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final🔊A2

Use 'final' when referring to the last part of something, especially events like a movie, a game, or a competition.

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punta🔊A1

Use 'punta' for the very tip or sharpest end of something long and thin, like a pencil or a needle, or the end of a line/row.

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cabo🔊A2

Use 'cabo' for the extremity of something flexible like a rope or thread, or the end of a period of time.

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cierre🔊A2

Use 'cierre' to refer to the act of closing or the closing time of a place, like a shop or museum.

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destino🔊A2

Use 'destino' when 'end' refers to a final destination or goal, the place someone or something is going.

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fondo🔊A2

Use 'fondo' to mean the very back or furthest part of something like a hallway, street, or a container.

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término🔊A2

Use 'término' to refer to the conclusion or deadline of a period, contract, or specific event.

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terminés🔊B1

Use 'terminés' (conjugated form of 'terminar') when 'end' is used as a verb, meaning to complete or finish an action, task, or period.

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extremo🔊B1

Use 'extremo' for the physical boundary or limit of something, like the edge of a landmass or a very far point.

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conclusiónB1

Use 'conclusión' for the final result or outcome of a process, discussion, or event, emphasizing the resolution.

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muerte🔊B2

Use 'muerte' metaphorically to describe the ruin, destruction, or demise of something, like an industry or a concept.

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extremidad🔊C1

Use 'extremidad' for the furthest point or limb-like end of an object, often something rigid like a pole or a structure.

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English → Spanish

fin

feenˈfin

nounA1general
Use 'fin' for the most general sense of an ending, like the conclusion of a book, movie, or a period of time.
A winding cobblestone path abruptly meeting a smooth, solid white wall, symbolizing the conclusion or end of a journey.

Examples

Este es el fin del libro.

This is the end of the book.

¿Qué haces este fin de semana?

What are you doing this weekend?

Al fin terminamos el proyecto.

At last, we finished the project.

Masculine Gender

'Fin' is a masculine noun, so you always say 'el fin' (the end) or 'un fin' (an end). This is true even in the very common phrase 'el fin de semana'.

'Fin' vs. 'Final'

Mistake: “Me gustó el fin de la película.”

Correction: Me gustó el final de la película. While 'fin' can mean 'end', when talking about the ending of a story, movie, or play, 'el final' is much more common. Think of 'fin' as the point in time something stops, and 'final' as the concluding part itself.

final

fee-NAHLfiˈnal

nounA2general
Use 'final' when referring to the last part of something, especially events like a movie, a game, or a competition.
A winding path that has reached its terminus at a closed red curtain.

Examples

El final de la película fue muy triste.

The end of the movie was very sad.

Al final del día, estoy muy cansado.

At the end of the day, I am very tired.

No me gustó el final del libro.

I didn't like the book's ending.

Always Masculine: 'el final'

When 'final' means 'the end' or 'the ending', it's a masculine word. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el final de la calle' (the end of the street).

Mixing up Genders

Mistake: “Me gustó la final de la serie.”

Correction: Me gustó el final de la serie. The ending of a show or book is 'el final' (masculine).

punta

POON-tahˈpunta

nounA1general
Use 'punta' for the very tip or sharpest end of something long and thin, like a pencil or a needle, or the end of a line/row.
A close-up illustration of the sharp, graphite tip of a yellow wooden pencil.

Examples

La punta del lápiz está rota.

The tip of the pencil is broken.

Me pinché el dedo con la punta de la aguja.

I pricked my finger with the point of the needle.

La Punta Cana es un destino turístico muy famoso.

Punta Cana is a very famous tourist destination (referring to the cape/headland).

Nos encontramos en la punta de la calle.

We met at the end of the street.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'punta' is always feminine, so you must use 'la punta' or 'una punta'.

Geographical Use

When referring to a geographical feature like a cape, 'punta' is often part of a proper noun (e.g., Punta del Este).

cabo

KAH-bohˈkaβo

nounA2general
Use 'cabo' for the extremity of something flexible like a rope or thread, or the end of a period of time.
A thick, brown braided rope is shown with the final, frayed extremity visible.

Examples

Por fin pudimos atar el cabo de la cuerda.

We were finally able to tie the end of the rope.

El cabo del martillo se rompió.

The handle of the hammer broke.

Al cabo de dos horas, llegaron a la cima.

After two hours, they reached the summit. (Meaning: 'At the end of two hours')

Using 'al cabo de'

Use this phrase followed by a period of time to mean 'after' or 'at the end of that time.' Example: 'Al cabo de un mes...' (After one month...).

Confusing 'cabo' and 'fin'

Mistake: “Using 'el fin' when you mean completing a task, like 'llevó a fin el proyecto.'”

Correction: Use the set phrase 'llevar a cabo' when talking about successfully executing a plan or project: 'Llevó a cabo el proyecto.' (He carried out the project.)

cierre

syair-reh'sjere

nounA2general
Use 'cierre' to refer to the act of closing or the closing time of a place, like a shop or museum.
A close-up view of a hand pushing a bright blue wooden door until it is nearly shut, symbolizing an ending.

Examples

El cierre del museo es a las seis de la tarde.

The closing of the museum is at six in the evening.

Hubo una protesta por el cierre de la fábrica.

There was a protest about the closure of the factory.

El presidente dio el discurso de cierre de la conferencia.

The president gave the closing speech for the conference.

Action Noun

As a noun, 'cierre' describes the action of 'cerrar' (to close). Many Spanish nouns formed this way are masculine, even if they end in '-e'.

destino

des-TEE-nodesˈtino

nounA2general
Use 'destino' when 'end' refers to a final destination or goal, the place someone or something is going.
A winding path clearly leading towards a bright, welcoming lighthouse on a distant hill, symbolizing the final stop of a journey.

Examples

Nuestro destino final es la playa.

Our final destination is the beach.

El paquete por fin llegó a su destino.

The package finally arrived at its destination.

El dinero tiene un destino específico: la educación de mis hijos.

The money has a specific purpose: my children's education.

Using 'con destino a'

This phrase is very common in travel announcements. For example, 'El tren con destino a Sevilla sale en cinco minutos' means 'The train bound for Seville leaves in five minutes'.

Destino vs. Dirección

Mistake: “Mi destino es Calle Sol, número 5.”

Correction: Mi dirección es Calle Sol, número 5. Use 'dirección' for a specific street address and 'destino' for the general city, place, or goal you're going to.

fondo

fon-dohˈfondo

nounA2general
Use 'fondo' to mean the very back or furthest part of something like a hallway, street, or a container.
A transparent glass jar shown in cross-section with a single pebble resting on the very bottom.

Examples

Las llaves están en el fondo de mi mochila.

The keys are at the bottom of my backpack.

El baño está al fondo del pasillo.

The bathroom is at the end of the hall.

Vimos peces de colores en el fondo del mar.

We saw colorful fish on the bottom of the sea.

'Fondo' vs. 'Hondo'

Mistake: “El mar es muy fondo.”

Correction: El mar es muy hondo. 'Fondo' is a noun (a thing: the bottom), while 'hondo' is an adjective (a description: deep).

nounA2general
Use 'término' to refer to the conclusion or deadline of a period, contract, or specific event.

Examples

El término del plazo para entregar el proyecto es el viernes.

The deadline for handing in the project is Friday.

terminés

tair-MEE-nessteɾˈmines

verbB1general
Use 'terminés' (conjugated form of 'terminar') when 'end' is used as a verb, meaning to complete or finish an action, task, or period.
A runner crossing a finish line with their arms raised in success.

Examples

Quiero que termines tu cena.

I want you to finish your dinner.

Avísame cuando termines de trabajar.

Let me know when you finish working.

No creo que termines hoy.

I don't think you will finish today.

The 'E' Swap

For verbs ending in -ar, we swap the usual 'a' for an 'e' when expressing wishes, doubts, or future plans. That is why 'terminas' becomes 'termines'.

Future Timing

Use 'termines' after 'cuando' (when) if you are talking about something that hasn't happened yet, like 'Call me when you finish'.

Don't use the 'Fact' form for wishes

Mistake: “Quiero que terminas.”

Correction: Quiero que termines. Because 'wanting' something isn't a guaranteed fact, Spanish uses the special 'e' form for -ar verbs.

extremo

eks-TREH-moheksˈtɾemo

nounB1general
Use 'extremo' for the physical boundary or limit of something, like the edge of a landmass or a very far point.
A winding dirt road that terminates abruptly at a tall wooden fence in the middle of a field, marking the physical end of the path.

Examples

Llegamos al extremo de la playa.

We arrived at the end of the beach.

Él siempre lleva las cosas al extremo.

He always takes things to the extreme (or limits).

Asegura el extremo libre de la cuerda.

Secure the free end of the rope.

Using 'Extremo' as a Noun

When used as a noun, 'extremo' (masculine) refers to a specific point or boundary, often physical. If referring to a body part, use 'extremidad' (limb/extremity, feminine).

conclusión

nounB1general
Use 'conclusión' for the final result or outcome of a process, discussion, or event, emphasizing the resolution.

Examples

Después de horas de debate, la conclusión fue que debíamos empezar de nuevo.

After hours of debate, the conclusion was that we should start over.

muerte

MWER-tehˈmweɾte

nounB2figurative
Use 'muerte' metaphorically to describe the ruin, destruction, or demise of something, like an industry or a concept.
A broken, dusty video cassette tape lying abandoned next to a crumbling building entrance, symbolizing the ruin or end of a business.

Examples

La llegada de internet fue la muerte del videoclub.

The arrival of the internet was the death of the video store.

¡Qué calor! Esto es la muerte.

It's so hot! This is a killer / This is torture.

Trabajar con él es la muerte; es muy exigente.

Working with him is a nightmare; he's very demanding.

extremidad

eks-treh-mee-DAHDekstɾemiˈdad

nounC1formal
Use 'extremidad' for the furthest point or limb-like end of an object, often something rigid like a pole or a structure.
A colorful illustration of the very tip of a long wooden branch.

Examples

Ató la cuerda a la extremidad del poste.

He tied the rope to the end of the post.

Había una pequeña marca en la extremidad del dedo.

There was a small mark on the tip of the finger.

Caminamos hasta la extremidad de la isla.

We walked to the very end of the island.

Abstract vs. Physical

When referring to the 'end' of a movie or a story, use 'final.' Use 'extremidad' only for the physical tip or end of a solid object.

Fin vs. Final vs. Extremo

Learners often confuse 'fin', 'final', and 'extremo'. Remember that 'fin' is the most general ending, 'final' usually refers to the end of an event or performance, and 'extremo' is a physical boundary or limit.

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