Inklingo

How to Say "i finish" in Spanish

English → Spanish

termino

/ter-mee-noh//teɾˈmino/

VerbA1General
Use 'termino' when referring to the completion of a specific task, action, or a defined period like a shift or a job.
A joyful child placing the final, colorful block onto a tall, stable stack of wooden blocks, symbolizing the completion of their task.

Examples

Yo termino mi turno a las siete.

I finish my shift at seven.

¿Qué hora es? ¡Ya termino la película!

What time is it? I'm finishing the movie now!

Cuando termino de estudiar, te llamo.

When I finish studying, I'll call you.

Using the 'Yo' Form

Even though 'termino' already means 'I finish,' it's common and correct to include the word 'yo' (I) for emphasis: 'Yo termino la cena.'

Regular -AR Verb

This verb follows the simplest conjugation pattern (like hablar and estudiar), making it easy to predict its forms in most tenses.

Confusing Endings

Mistake: “Using 'termino' for 'he/she finishes' (which is 'termina').”

Correction: 'Termino' only works for 'I'. Remember the '-o' ending usually means 'I' in the present tense.

acabo

/a-KA-bo//aˈka.βo/

VerbA2General
Use 'acabo' when emphasizing the act of completing something, often a task or activity, and can sometimes imply reaching an end point.
A person happily placing the final, distinct piece into a large, colorful jigsaw puzzle, symbolizing the completion of a task.

Examples

Normalmente, acabo mi trabajo a las cinco.

Normally, I finish my work at five.

Si no paras, ¡me acabo la paciencia!

If you don't stop, I'm going to run out of patience!

Siempre me acabo el café antes de salir.

I always finish off the coffee before leaving.

This is the 'I' form

Acabo is the form of the verb acabar that you use when you're talking about yourself in the present tense. Think of it as meaning 'I finish'.

acabar vs. terminar

Mistake: “Sometimes learners aren't sure which one to use.”

Correction: In most everyday situations, `acabar` and `terminar` mean the same thing and you can use either one. `Acabo el libro` and `Termino el libro` both mean 'I finish the book'.

Choosing Between 'Terminar' and 'Acabar'

Learners often confuse 'terminar' and 'acabar' because both mean 'to finish'. While interchangeable in many contexts, 'terminar' is a more general-purpose verb for completing actions, making it a safer choice for beginners in most situations.

Related Translations

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