Why Terminar Comes in Chunks
Terminar looks like a simple to finish, but the structure that follows it changes the meaning completely: de plus infinitive means finishing an action, a gerund means ending up, and con can mean ending a relationship. It is the natural counterpart to [Empezar] Chunks.
Pattern 1: Terminar de + infinitive — "To finish doing"
The standard frame for completing an action. Spanish needs the de before the infinitive.
- Termino de trabajar a las seis. — I finish work at six.
- ¿Ya terminaste de comer? — Have you finished eating?
- Déjame terminar de hablar. — Let me finish speaking.
Chunk to learn:
Terminar de + [infinitive]
Pattern 2: Terminar + gerund — "To end up doing"
With a gerund, terminar describes how things turn out, often unplanned. Compare with the gerund frames in [Estar + Gerund] Chunks.
- Terminamos cenando en casa. — We ended up having dinner at home.
- Terminó llorando. — She ended up crying.
- Siempre termino discutiendo con él. — I always end up arguing with him.
Chunk to learn:
Terminar + [gerund]
Pattern 3: Terminar con — "To break up with"
In a relationship context, terminar con is the common way to say someone ended things.
- Terminó con su novio. — She broke up with her boyfriend.
- Terminamos hace un mes. — We broke up a month ago.
- ¿Has terminado con ella? — Have you broken up with her?
Chunk to learn:
Terminar con + [person]
Pattern 4: Se terminó — "It's finished / we ran out"
The reflexive form (with se) expresses that something ran out or came to an end by itself.
- Se terminó el café. — The coffee ran out.
- Se terminó la fiesta. — The party's over.
- ¡Se terminó! — That's it! / It's over!
Chunk to learn:
Se terminó + [noun]
Pattern 5: Cuando termines / termine — "When you finish"
Future time after cuando takes the subjunctive. Learn this as a frame; the logic is in Subjunctive Chunks.
- Cuando termine, te llamo. — When I finish, I'll call you.
- Avísame cuando termines. — Let me know when you finish.
- Cuando termines, cierra la puerta. — When you're done, close the door.
Chunk to learn:
Cuando termine / termines + [next action]
Pattern 6: Terminar bien / mal — How it turns out
For stories, plans, and events, use bien or mal after the verb.
- La película termina mal. — The film ends badly.
- Esto va a terminar mal. — This is going to end badly.
- Todo terminó bien. — Everything turned out fine.
Chunk to learn:
Terminar bien / mal
Endings in Everyday Spanish
Finishing, ending up, breaking up, running out, waiting for the end, and judging the outcome all share one verb. Once you recognize the frame, the meaning is clear.
Start with terminar de and cuando termine. You will use both the next time you speak Spanish.
This post is part of the Spanish Chunk Series — a growing collection of chunk patterns for natural Spanish.