Inklingo

How to Say "ends" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “ends” is “termina” — use 'termina' when 'ends' refers to the action of something concluding or finishing at a specific point in time, like a shift or a meeting..

English → Spanish

termina

/ter-MEE-nah//teɾˈmina/

verbA1
Use 'termina' when 'ends' refers to the action of something concluding or finishing at a specific point in time, like a shift or a meeting.
A child smiling while successfully placing the final piece of a colorful jigsaw puzzle, indicating completion of the task.

Examples

Mi jornada laboral termina a las seis.

My workday ends at six.

Mi turno termina a las cinco en punto.

My shift finishes exactly at five o'clock.

La película termina con una gran sorpresa.

The movie ends with a big surprise.

¡Termina tu desayuno, por favor! Vamos a llegar tarde.

Finish your breakfast, please! We are going to be late.

Dual Personality: Present Tense vs. Command

This single word, 'termina,' does two different jobs: it tells you what 'he/she/it' is doing now (Present Tense) AND it is the quick command form for addressing a friend ('tú').

Regular AR Verb

The verb 'terminar' is easy! It follows the standard pattern for all '-ar' verbs, meaning you don't have to worry about unusual stem changes or spelling shifts.

Confusing formal and informal commands

Mistake: “Using 'termina' when addressing a boss or elder (Usted).”

Correction: For formal commands (Usted), the ending changes to '-e': use 'termine'. 'Termina' is only for casual commands (tú).

fines

FEE-nes/ˈfi.nes/

nounB2
Use 'fines' when 'ends' refers to the ultimate goals or purposes of something, or the concluding part of a week.
A small figure standing at the bottom of a hill, looking up at a bright flag planted at the summit, representing a goal.

Examples

Los fines de este proyecto son ambiciosos.

The ends of this project are ambitious.

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).

Always Plural

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

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).

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).

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.

fines

FEE-nes/ˈfi.nes/

nounA1
Use 'fines' specifically when referring to the end points of a time period, most commonly the weekend.
A small figure standing at the bottom of a hill, looking up at a bright flag planted at the summit, representing a goal.

Examples

Los fines de semana salimos a pasear.

On weekends, we go for a walk.

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).

Always Plural

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

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).

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).

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.

Goals vs. Finishing

Learners often confuse 'fines' (goals/weekend) with 'termina' (finishing). Remember that 'termina' is a verb describing an action of concluding, while 'fines' is a noun referring to objectives or time periods.

Related Translations

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