Finir means to bring something to an end or to complete it. It often answers the questions “When will you be done?” Terminer also means to finish, but it carries the nuance of concluding or stopping something more formally or definitely. It often implies the completion of a specific task or stage.
- “Finir” focuses on the act of completing or running out of something.
- “Terminer” emphasizes bringing something to a proper close or conclusion.
- Both can be followed by nouns, but finir is more commonly used with verbs in the infinitive form (e.g., “finir de manger”).
- Terminer is often used in more formal or written contexts.
Usage Rules
- Use finir when talking about completing an activity, task, or something that has a natural end.
- Use terminer when the emphasis is on concluding, stopping, or wrapping up something, especially in a formal or official sense.
- Finir can be followed by “de” + infinitive (e.g., “finir de lire”).
- Terminer is usually followed directly by a noun or pronoun (e.g., “terminer le travail”).
Examples
Here are some examples that illustrate the different uses of finir and terminer:
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| J’ai fini mes devoirs. | I have finished my homework. |
| J’ai terminé mes devoirs. | I have completed (concluded) my homework. |
| Il finit de manger. | He is finishing eating. |
| Il termine son repas. | He is finishing his meal (wrapping it up). |
| Nous finissons le projet demain. | We are finishing the project tomorrow. |
| Nous terminons le projet demain. | We are concluding the project tomorrow. |
| Finis ton livre ! | Finish your book! |
| Termine ton rapport ! | Complete (finish up) your report! |
When Both Are Possible
In many cases, finir and terminer can be used interchangeably without a significant change in meaning:
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| J’ai fini le film. | I finished the movie. |
| J’ai terminé le film. | I finished the movie. |
| Elle a fini de travailler. | She finished working. |
| Elle a terminé son travail. | She finished her work. |
However, using terminer may sound slightly more formal or emphasize the idea of bringing something to a neat conclusion.
Summary
- Choose finir for general completion or when using “de” + infinitive.
- Choose terminer for a more formal tone or when emphasizing the conclusion of something.
- Both are correct in many contexts, so the choice often depends on nuance rather than strict rules.
Flashcards (1 of 12)
- English Example: I have finished my homework.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
