I’m Finished in Spanish | Say It Like A Local

Most speakers say “Ya terminé” for “I’m finished,” with “He terminado” sounding a bit more formal or written.

You’ve wrapped up a task. You want to say it cleanly in Spanish. This is one of those moments where English stays the same, but Spanish shifts with context: who you’re talking to, where you are, and what you’ve finished.

Spanish gives you several natural options that all translate to “I’m finished,” yet they don’t land the same. “Ya terminé” feels direct and everyday. “He terminado” sounds more neutral and a touch more formal. “Listo” can mean “done” when the context is clear. And “Ya acabé” works too, with a few regional notes.

This article keeps it practical. You’ll get the best phrases, when to use each one, and copy-ready lines you can drop into chats, work messages, and real conversations.

What “I’m finished” Can Mean In Real Conversations

Before picking a phrase, nail the meaning. In English, “I’m finished” can point to a finished task, a finished meal, or a finished stage in a process. It can also mean “I’m done with this” in an emotional sense. Spanish often uses different wording for each, so choosing the right lane makes your Spanish sound natural.

Finished with a task

This is the classic use: homework, a report, a form, a project, a chore. Spanish usually prefers a simple past or a present perfect, depending on region and tone.

Finished eating or drinking

When you’ve finished a meal, Spanish often uses “terminar” or “acabar” with the food as the object. You can also use “ya” to show it’s done as of now.

Finished with a person or situation

This is where English can get sharp. Spanish has options, but they carry more heat. If you mean you’re no longer participating, Spanish can say that without sounding dramatic.

I’m Finished in Spanish For Work And School Situations

If you want the safest, most widely understood phrase, start here: “Ya terminé.” It’s short, friendly, and fits most everyday settings.

Best all-around picks

• Ya terminé. Natural, common, works almost anywhere.
• He terminado. Polite and slightly more formal, common in Spain and in writing.
• Ya está. “That’s done,” works well when the task is obvious in context.
• Listo. “Done/ready,” great for quick check-ins, especially spoken Spanish.

Why do “terminé” and “he terminado” both show up? They share the same core idea: the action is completed. “Terminé” is simple past. “He terminado” is present perfect. Many speakers in Spain lean on the present perfect for recent actions, while many speakers in Latin America use simple past more often for the same timing. Both are correct; the best choice is the one that matches the setting you’re in.

If you want a dictionary-grounded sense of the verb, RAE’s entry for “terminar” frames it as “poner término a algo,” which is exactly the completion idea you’re expressing.

Clean messages you can copy

• Ya terminé el informe. (I’ve finished the report.)
• He terminado la presentación. (I’ve finished the presentation.)
• Listo, ya quedó. (All set, it’s done.)
• Ya está, lo entregué. (Done, I submitted it.)

When you want to sound polite

In emails, school messages, or work chats with someone you don’t know well, “He terminado” and “Ya he terminado” feel smooth. You can also add a respectful close without making it stiff.

• Ya he terminado. Quedo atento a tus comentarios.
• He terminado la tarea. ¿Quieres que la revise otra vez?

Spanish also uses verb phrases with “terminar de” and “acabar de.” The RAE guidance on “acabar de + infinitivo” and “terminar de + infinitivo” is useful when you want to say you’ve just done something or you finished doing something.

Saying You’re Finished In Spanish With Timing And Nuance

“I’m finished” often carries timing: you’re done now, you finished a minute ago, or you’re wrapping up. Spanish can be very precise here, and small tweaks make you sound fluent fast.

“Just finished” vs “finished”

If you mean “I just finished,” Spanish commonly uses “acabar de” plus an infinitive. This is the “just now” structure.

• Acabo de terminar. (I just finished.)
• Acabo de acabar. (Grammatically possible, but it sounds clunky.)

Many native speakers notice that “acabo de terminar” stacks two completion ideas. It’s still acceptable. FundéuRAE’s note on “acabo de terminar” says it’s not incorrect, yet stylistically, alternatives can sound cleaner.

If you want a tidy option, use one completion verb:

• Acabo de terminar. (just finished)
• Ya terminé. (finished)
• He terminado hace un momento. (finished a moment ago)

Regional feel: “terminar” vs “acabar”

Both verbs can mean “to finish.” “Terminar” is widely safe and neutral. “Acabar” is also common, and in some places it’s the everyday pick. There’s also a separate use of “acabar de” that means “just did,” which is why context matters.

If you’re learning for travel or work, a simple habit works well: use “terminar” for finishing tasks, then use “acabar de” when you mean “just now.” It keeps your speech consistent.

English learners also look up “finished” and want a one-word match. Dictionaries can help, but phrases win in real speech. Even the Cambridge entry for “finished” shows full-sentence translations, which is closer to how Spanish actually works.

Phrase Options And When To Use Them

Use this table like a menu. Pick the row that matches your situation, then copy the phrase and adjust the object (homework, email, lunch, call, task).

What you mean	Best Spanish line	Register and notes
Finished a task right now	Ya terminé.	Everyday, works across regions
Finished (neutral, a bit formal)	He terminado.	Polite, common in Spain, solid in writing
Finished and ready for the next step	Listo.	Short, spoken, context needs to be clear
Finished a thing you were doing	Terminé de escribir.	Focuses on completing the action
Just finished a moment ago	Acabo de terminar.	“Just now” timing; acceptable though slightly redundant
Finished eating	Ya terminé de comer.	Clear and polite at the table
Finished the food itself	Ya me lo terminé.	Common in speech; “lo” refers to the food
Finished a stage, “that’s it”	Ya está.	Great when the task is obvious
Finished with something (“done with it”)	Ya terminé con eso.	Firm tone; keep it calm in formal settings

Common Mistakes That Give You Away

Even strong learners trip on the same few points. Fix these and your Spanish instantly sounds more natural.

Using “Estoy terminado”

This is a direct word-for-word swap from English, and it doesn’t work for “I’m done (with a task).” “Estoy terminado” reads more like “I am finished” in the sense of being completed as an object, which is not what you mean.

Use “Ya terminé” or “He terminado” instead.

Using “Finalizado” in casual speech

“Finalizado” exists, and you’ll see it in notices or formal writing. In everyday talk, it can sound stiff. Keep it for formal contexts where that tone fits.

Skipping the object when it’s not obvious

“Ya terminé” is perfect when everyone knows what you’re talking about. If they don’t, add the object:

• Ya terminé el formulario.
• He terminado la revisión.

Overusing “acabar de” when you don’t mean “just now”

“Acabo de terminar” points to something that happened moments ago. If you finished earlier, switch to “Ya terminé” or “He terminado.” It keeps your timing honest.

Which Line Should You Use In Each Scenario

This second table is a fast picker. Match the situation, pick the line, then reuse it with your own words.

Scenario	Best pick	Sample you can reuse
Teacher asks if you’re done	Ya terminé.	Ya terminé, profe.
Boss asks for status	He terminado.	He terminado el documento y lo envío ahora.
Friend asks “Are you done yet?”	Listo.	Listo, vámonos.
Someone calls while you’re wrapping up	Ya casi termino.	Ya casi termino, dame un minuto.
You finished eating at a restaurant	Ya terminé de comer.	Ya terminé de comer, gracias.
You finished a long task and want relief	Por fin terminé.	Por fin terminé; me tomó un rato.
You’re done with a topic and want to close it	Ya terminé con eso.	Ya terminé con eso; cambiemos de tema.
You just finished seconds ago	Acabo de terminar.	Acabo de terminar; te contesto ya.

Short Add-Ons That Make You Sound Natural

Spanish often adds tiny words that carry tone. They’re optional, but they make your line feel lived-in.

Add “ya” for “now/at this point”

“Ya” tells the listener the completion is current and relevant.

• Ya terminé.
• Ya he terminado.

Add “por fin” when it took a while

Use it when you’re relieved you’re done.

• Por fin terminé.
• Por fin he terminado.

Add “casi” when you’re close

If you’re not done yet, “casi” saves you from overpromising.

• Ya casi termino.
• Me falta poco.

Copy-ready Mini Scripts You Can Reuse

These are short and flexible. Swap the noun or verb and keep the structure.

Texting a friend

• Ya terminé. Salgo en 5.
• Listo. ¿Dónde nos vemos?

Work chat

• He terminado el borrador. Te lo mando ahora.
• Ya terminé la revisión. Quedo pendiente.

At home

• Ya está. Quedó limpio.
• Ya terminé de cocinar.

Quick Self-check Before You Say It

Run this in your head. It takes two seconds.

• If it’s a normal “done,” say Ya terminé.
• If it’s formal or written, say He terminado or Ya he terminado.
• If it happened seconds ago, say Acabo de terminar.
• If you’re ready to move, say Listo.
• If you mean “done with this topic,” say Ya terminé con eso, then soften it if needed.

Once you get comfortable, you’ll start switching naturally. That’s the goal: the right phrase, with the right tone, without thinking too hard.