A comprehensive guide to the French verbs finir and terminer, explaining their meanings, usage, and key differences.
In French, there are two common verbs for “to finish”: finir and terminer. Both convey the idea of completing something, but they are used in different contexts and grammatical structures. Understanding when to use finir versus terminer is key to expressing the concept of finishing accurately and naturally in French.
Origins and Meanings
- Finir comes from the Latin finire, meaning “to end” or “limit.” It often implies reaching the natural conclusion of a process.
- Terminer comes from the Latin terminare, meaning “to set boundaries” or “bring to an end.” It can suggest a more deliberate or formal conclusion.
- Finir is more general and can be used for abstract or concrete contexts.
- Terminer is often more formal and can imply completing something with intention or finality.
What does the Latin root 'terminare,' which 'terminer' comes from, mean?
It means 'to set boundaries' or 'bring to an end.'
'Terminer' comes from the Latin 'terminare,' meaning 'to set boundaries' or 'bring to an end,' which suggests a more deliberate or formal conclusion.
Usage Patterns
- Finir is an -ir verb (3rd group) and is conjugated accordingly.
- Terminer is a regular -er verb (1st group).
- Both can be followed by a direct object (something being finished) or by infinitive constructions ("finir de faire quelque chose," "terminer de faire quelque chose").
- Finir is also commonly used without an object when the context is clear.
- Terminer more frequently requires an object specifying what is being finished.
Examples of Finir
- Je finis mes devoirs. (I’m finishing my homework.)
- Elle a fini de lire le livre. (She finished reading the book.)
- Nous finissons à 18h. (We finish at 6 p.m.)
Examples of Terminer
- J’ai terminé le projet. (I completed the project.)
- Ils terminent de manger. (They are finishing eating.)
- Tu as terminé ton rapport ? (Have you finished your report?)
Key Differences
- Finir is more about reaching the end of a process or naturally concluding something.
- Terminer often implies bringing something to a close deliberately or completing it fully.
- Finir can stand alone (Je finis), but terminer usually needs an object (Je termine le travail).
- Terminer can sound more formal or final, while finir is more neutral.
Summary
- Use finir for general situations of finishing, especially when describing the natural end of an activity.
- Use terminer when emphasizing the completion, closure, or deliberate ending of a task.
- Pay attention to object usage: finir can be intransitive or transitive, terminer is usually transitive.
- Both verbs can be followed by “de + infinitive” when finishing an action.
What should you watch for in terms of object usage with 'finir' and 'terminer'?
'Finir' can be used with or without an object, but 'terminer' usually requires an object.
'finir' is flexible and can stand alone when context is clear; 'terminer' typically needs an object to specify what is being finished.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
