How To Say I Finished In Spanish | Phrases That Land Right

Use “Terminé” for “I finished,” and pick a past tense that matches what you completed and who you’re talking to.

You’ll hear “I finished” in Spanish in a bunch of everyday moments: you wrapped up homework, you’re done eating, you completed a task at work, or you’re finished talking and ready to go. Spanish gives you a few clean ways to say it, and the best pick depends on what you finished, where you are, and the tone you want.

This guide walks you through the core verbs, the most natural short replies, and the small grammar choices that make you sound steady and clear. You’ll get ready-to-use lines, mini patterns you can reuse, and quick checks so you don’t trip on tense or formality.

How To Say I Finished In Spanish: The Core Phrases

Most of the time, you want one of these verbs:

Terminar = to finish (a task, an activity, a process)
Acabar = to finish / to have just finished (often “just now”)
Finalizar = to finalize (more formal, common in writing)

If you only learn one, learn “Terminé”. It’s the plain, friendly, widely used way to say “I finished.” It works for schoolwork, chores, errands, and most “done” moments.

Quick one-word and short replies

Spanish speakers often answer with short, clipped lines. These are handy when someone asks if you’re done:

Terminé. = I finished.
Ya terminé. = I’m done now / I already finished.
Listo. = Ready / Done (common in many places)
Ya está. = That’s it / It’s done.
Hecho. = Done (like “done deal”)

“Listo” can mean “ready,” so context does the work. If you just completed a task, “Listo” reads as “done.” If you’re about to leave, it reads as “ready.”

Past tense you’ll use most

For “I finished,” the usual choice is the simple past:

Terminé = I finished
Acabé = I finished

These are straight, direct statements about a completed action. They’re perfect when the action is done and you’re not stressing the “just now” part.

Saying I Finished In Spanish In Real Life Situations

Here are common scenarios and the most natural lines for each. Read them aloud once. Your mouth will learn the rhythm fast.

Homework and studying

Ya terminé la tarea. = I finished the homework.
Terminé el ensayo. = I finished the essay.
Ya acabé de estudiar. = I’m done studying.

Notice the pattern with acabar de:

Acabé de + infinitive = I finished doing…
Acabo de + infinitive = I just finished doing… (present tense with a “just now” meaning)

Eating and drinking

Ya terminé de comer. = I’m done eating.
Ya acabé. = I’m done (often said at the table).
Ya terminé mi café. = I finished my coffee.

If you mean “I’m full” instead of “I finished,” Spanish often uses a different idea: Estoy lleno/llena (I’m full). That’s not “finished,” it’s “full,” so save it for food situations only.

Work tasks and chores

Terminé el informe. = I finished the report.
Ya terminé con eso. = I’m done with that.
Acabé la limpieza. = I finished the cleaning.

“Terminé con eso” is a handy catch-all. It’s casual and clear when you don’t want to name the whole task.

Phone calls and conversations

Ya terminé de hablar. = I’m done talking.
Ya dije lo que tenía que decir. = I said what I had to say.
Listo, terminamos aquí. = Alright, we’re done here.

“Ya terminé de hablar” can sound sharp if the mood is tense. If you want it softer, add a polite tag like gracias at the end, or switch to a calmer line like “Eso era todo.”

When To Use Terminé, Acabé, Or He Terminado

Spanish offers more than one “past.” The choice is less about grammar drills and more about what you mean in the moment.

Terminé

Use terminé when you’re stating a finished action. It’s the everyday default across Spanish-speaking regions.

Acabé

Use acabé when you also want the sense of “I’m done” with a task, or when you’re pairing it with acabar de to express “finished doing.” In plenty of places, “acabé” feels a touch more “I wrapped it up” than “terminé,” still normal and common.

He terminado

Use he terminado when you want “I have finished,” often with a link to the present: the task is done and that fact matters right now. In Spain, this form shows up a lot in daily speech. In much of Latin America, many speakers still use it, though the simple past is often the first pick in casual talk.

Acabo de terminar

This one means “I just finished.” It’s a clean way to say the action ended moments ago:

Acabo de terminar. = I just finished.
Acabo de terminar la tarea. = I just finished the homework.

Common Patterns You Can Reuse

These mini templates let you build your own sentences in seconds. Swap the noun or verb and you’re set.

Pattern 1: Terminé + noun

Terminé el proyecto.
Terminé la lección.
Terminé mis pendientes.

Pattern 2: Terminé de + infinitive

Terminé de leer. = I finished reading.
Terminé de escribir. = I finished writing.
Terminé de practicar. = I finished practicing.

Pattern 3: Ya + terminé / acabé

Ya terminé. = I’m done now.
Ya acabé. = I’m done.
Ya terminé con eso. = I’m done with that.

Pattern 4: Eso fue todo

Eso fue todo. means “That was everything.” It’s polite and calm at the end of a talk, a presentation, or a service interaction.

Table Of Natural Ways To Say I Finished

The phrases below cover most “done” moments. Pick the row that matches your situation and the tone you want.

Spanish Phrase	Best Use	English Sense
Terminé.	Simple completion	I finished.
Ya terminé.	Someone’s waiting on you	I’m done now.
Terminé la tarea.	Schoolwork	I finished the homework.
Terminé de comer.	At the table	I’m done eating.
Ya terminé con eso.	Wrapping up a task	I’m done with that.
Acabo de terminar.	Just now, moments ago	I just finished.
He terminado.	Result matters right now	I have finished.
Listo.	Quick reply	Done / Ready.
Ya está.	Closing a small task	That’s it.

Pronunciation And Accent Marks That Change Meaning

Spanish spelling is kind once you know a few rules. Still, two small marks can trip learners when saying “I finished.”

Terminé: stress and the written accent

Terminé has an accent on the last syllable because the stress falls there: ter-mi-NÉ. Without the accent, termine is usually a command form in many contexts (“finish!” or “may I finish”), so keep the accent when you write it.

Acabé: the accent matters

Acabé stresses the last syllable too: a-ca-BÉ. That accent keeps the pronunciation clear and matches the past tense ending.

He terminado: keep it smooth

In he terminado, “he” is short, like “eh.” Don’t stretch it. The phrase flows: eh ter-mi-NA-do.

Polite, Casual, And Formal Options

You can say “I finished” in a way that fits the room. Spanish offers polite softeners that don’t sound stiff.

Casual with friends

Listo, ya terminé.
Ya acabé, vamos.
Terminé, ¿y tú?

Polite in service settings

Ya terminé, gracias.
Eso era todo, gracias.
He terminado, muchas gracias.

Formal at work or in writing

He finalizado el informe.
Ya finalicé el documento.
La tarea quedó finalizada.

“Finalizar” shows up more in emails, reports, and formal talk. In casual speech, it can sound stiff, so keep it for formal lanes.

Small Grammar Choices That Make You Sound Natural

These are the tiny tweaks that make your Spanish feel less like a textbook and more like a real message.

Use “de” when you finished doing something

If you finished an action, Spanish often uses de + infinitive:

Terminé de estudiar.
Acabé de trabajar.

Use “con” when you’re done with a thing

When you’re done with a thing or a topic, con fits well:

Terminé con el proyecto.
Ya acabé con eso.

Match gender with lleno/llena, listo/lista

If you use “full” or “ready,” match the ending to the speaker:

Estoy lleno. / Estoy llena.
Estoy listo. / Estoy lista.

Common Mix-Ups And Quick Fixes

Lots of learners make the same slips. Fixing them once saves you from repeating them in every chat.

Mix-up 1: Using “Estoy terminado”

“Estoy terminado” sounds like “I’m finished” as in “I’m ruined,” not “I finished a task.” For completion, use terminé, ya terminé, or he terminado.

Mix-up 2: Dropping the accent mark

In messages, people skip accents. In schoolwork or work writing, keep them. Terminé and acabé are clearer with the accent, and they avoid confusion with other verb forms.

Mix-up 3: “Acabo” vs “acabé”

Acabo is present tense (“I finish” / “I’m finishing”) unless it’s part of acabo de meaning “I just finished.” Acabé is simple past (“I finished”).

Practice Drills That Don’t Feel Like Drills

Try these quick routines. They build automatic recall, so you don’t freeze mid-sentence.

Swap-the-noun practice

Say “Terminé…” and plug in five nouns you actually use:

Terminé el reporte.
Terminé la lección.
Terminé el formulario.
Terminé el correo.
Terminé la llamada.

Two-speed practice: normal and “just now”

Terminé. (done)
Acabo de terminar. (done moments ago)

Polite close-out lines

Eso era todo, gracias.
Ya terminé, muchas gracias.

Table Of Quick Picks By Situation

Use this as a fast chooser when you’re not sure which form fits.

Situation	Natural Spanish	Tone
Finished homework	Ya terminé la tarea.	Neutral
Done eating	Ya terminé de comer.	Casual
Just finished	Acabo de terminar.	Neutral
Done with that task	Ya terminé con eso.	Casual
Work update (Spain)	He terminado.	Neutral
Formal email	He finalizado el informe.	Formal
Closing a chat	Eso fue todo.	Polite

Quick Checklist Before You Say It

Task finished? Use Terminé or Ya terminé.
Finished doing an action? Use Terminé de + verb.
Just now? Use Acabo de terminar.
Done with a thing or topic? Use Terminé con + noun.
Need a polite close? Use Eso era todo, gracias.

If you want one line that fits almost everywhere, go with: Ya terminé. It’s short, clear, and sounds natural in most settings.