How Do You Say Completed In Spanish
You’ve just finished a project, a form, or a long to-do list. Now you want to say it’s completed in Spanish. The answer isn’t one word—it’s a handful, and each has its own vib...
You’ve just finished a project, a form, or a long to-do list. Now you want to say it’s completed in Spanish. The answer isn’t one word—it’s a handful, and each has its own vibe.
The Go-To Word: Completado
Completado is the most direct translation of “completed.” It comes from the verb completar, meaning to complete or finish something fully. Use it for tasks, projects, or forms that required all the pieces.
Like many Spanish adjectives, it changes with gender and number. So you’d say el proyecto está completado (the project is completed) or la tarea está completada (the task is completed). For plural, completados or completadas.
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This word sounds a bit formal, almost bureaucratic. You’ll see it on official documents, software dashboards, and school assignments. It’s correct, but not always the warmest choice.
When Terminado Feels More Natural
Terminado is the everyday hero. It comes from terminar, which means to end or finish. If you’ve finished your coffee, your homework, or a meeting, terminado fits perfectly.
Again, match the gender and number: terminado, terminada, terminados, terminadas. A common phrase is ya terminé—I already finished. That’s the verb form, and it’s super common in conversation.
For example, if someone asks about a report, you might say El informe ya está terminado. It sounds natural, friendly, and clear. In many Latin American countries, terminado is the default for “completed.”
Acabado and Hecho: Everyday Alternatives
Acabado means finished or completed, but it carries a nuance of “used up” or “just finished.” You might say acabé el libro (I finished the book). As an adjective, el trabajo está acabado means the job is done.
Hecho is simpler: it means “done” or “made.” Está hecho is a casual way to say “it’s done.” You’ll hear it in kitchens, workshops, and group chats everywhere. It’s short and punchy.
Both words work well in casual settings. Just remember that hecho can also mean “made,” so context matters. If you say el pastel está hecho, you might mean the cake is made—or that it’s done baking.
Cumplido and Realizado: For Goals and Forms
Cumplido comes from cumplir, meaning to fulfill or comply. Use it for goals, promises, requirements, or dreams. Objetivo cumplido means “goal accomplished” or “mission completed.”
Realizado comes from realizar, meaning to carry out or accomplish. It’s common for projects, studies, or tasks. El proyecto está realizado sounds polished and professional.
Ser Chart Spanish T
These two are less about “finishing” and more about “fulfilling” or “carrying out.” If you’re talking about a bucket list item, cumplido feels triumphant. If you’re talking about a work assignment, realizado feels appropriate.
A Quick Gender and Number Refresher
Spanish adjectives agree with the noun they describe. So completado becomes completada for feminine nouns, and completados or completadas for plurals. Same rule applies to terminado, acabado, hecho, cumplido, and realizado.
If you’re talking about a task (la tarea), say la tarea está terminada. If you’re talking about a project (el proyecto), say el proyecto está terminado. It’s a small detail that makes you sound fluent.
Don’t stress too much in casual chat. Many natives will understand you even if you mix it up. But practicing agreement is a quick win for your Spanish confidence.
Fun Facts and Cultural Notes
In Spain, you might hear ya está for “it’s done” or “that’s it.” It’s short, versatile, and often accompanied by a shrug. In Mexico, listo is a favorite—ya está listo means “it’s ready” or “it’s done.”
The word completado appears on video game achievement screens across Spanish-speaking countries. Logro completado means “achievement completed.” Gamers see it so often that it’s practically a cultural touchstone.
Also, terminado can describe a romantic relationship ending. Lo nuestro está terminado means “what we had is over.” So context is everything—this word can break hearts or finish homework.
Regional Variations and Slang
In Argentina, you might hear ya está or listo just as often as terminado. In the Caribbean, acabado can mean “finished” but also “exhausted” or even “ruined,” depending on tone. So listen closely to the context.
In Spain, hecho is common for “done,” especially in cooking. Está hecho means “it’s done” or “it’s cooked.” In Chile, listo is a catch-all for “ready” or “finished.”
How to say Complete in Spanish - YouTube
These regional differences are not obstacles—they’re invitations. The more you notice them, the more you understand the culture behind the words. Spanish is not one flavor; it’s a whole buffet.
Common Phrases to Memorize
Ya terminé — I already finished. Ya está hecho — It’s already done. Misión cumplida — Mission accomplished.
El trabajo está completado — The work is completed. La tarea está lista — The task is ready/done. Todo acabó — Everything finished.
Pick two or three that feel natural to you. Use them this week in real situations. Repetition turns these phrases into reflexes, and reflexes make you sound fluent.
Practical Tips for Real Conversations
If you’re unsure which word to use, default to terminado for everyday tasks. It’s widely understood and sounds natural. For official or formal writing, completado is a safe bet.
When you want to say “I completed it,” use the verb form: lo completé, lo terminé, or lo acabé. These are active and direct. If you want to say “it is completed,” use está plus the adjective: está completado.
Listen to how natives phrase it. You’ll notice they often use ya to add a sense of “already.” Ya terminé and ya está hecho are incredibly common. Steal that little adverb—it makes you sound more natural.
A Final Reflection
Think about your own daily finish lines. You check off a grocery list, send an email, or wash the last dish. In Spanish, you can mark that moment with terminado, completado, hecho, or listo.
The right word depends on the feeling you want: formal, casual, triumphant, or practical. Learning these small distinctions is like adding spices to a dish. It doesn’t change the ingredients, but it changes the flavor.
So next time you finish something, try saying it in Spanish. ¡Terminado! It’s a tiny celebration, and it connects your everyday life to a richer way of speaking.