When learning Portuguese, English speakers often encounter challenges with words that seem similar but have distinct meanings and uses. One such pair of words is terminar and completar, both of which can be translated as “to finish” or “to complete” in English. Understanding the nuances between these two verbs is essential for mastering Portuguese and using the language accurately in various contexts.
Terminar is a verb that generally means “to finish,” “to end,” or “to terminate.” It is used when referring to the conclusion of an activity, event, or process. For example, you might use terminar when you finish reading a book, when a meeting ends, or when a project comes to a close. Here are some examples to illustrate its usage:
1. Eu terminei de ler o livro. (I finished reading the book.)
2. A reunião terminou às cinco horas. (The meeting ended at five o’clock.)
3. Quando terminar o projeto, vou tirar férias. (When I finish the project, I will take a vacation.)
On the other hand, completar means “to complete” and is often used to indicate that something has been fully finished or brought to its intended conclusion. It suggests a sense of fulfillment or achievement of a goal. For example, you might use completar when referring to completing a task, finishing a course of study, or achieving a milestone. Here are some examples:
1. Eu completei todas as tarefas. (I completed all the tasks.)
2. Ela completou o curso de medicina. (She completed the medical course.)
3. Ele completou cinco anos de trabalho na empresa. (He completed five years of work at the company.)
While both terminar and completar can be translated as “to finish” or “to complete,” their usage differs based on context and the nature of the action being described. Let’s delve deeper into the distinctions and appropriate contexts for each verb.
Terminar is often used for the end of an ongoing or continuous process. It implies that something has come to a natural or expected conclusion. For example, when a class or a session ends, you would use terminar:
1. A aula terminou às dez horas. (The class ended at ten o’clock.)
2. O filme terminou agora há pouco. (The movie just finished.)
Additionally, terminar can be used in a more abstract sense, such as when referring to ending a relationship or a situation:
1. Eles terminaram o namoro. (They ended the relationship.)
2. Eu terminei com aquela situação complicada. (I ended that complicated situation.)
Completar, however, conveys a sense of fulfillment or achieving a specific target or goal. It is often used in contexts where there is a clear objective or end point that has been reached. For example:
1. Ele completou a maratona em quatro horas. (He completed the marathon in four hours.)
2. Nós completamos o álbum de figurinhas. (We completed the sticker album.)
In academic or professional settings, completar is commonly used to indicate the successful conclusion of a course, program, or project:
1. Ela completou o doutorado com distinção. (She completed the PhD with distinction.)
2. Eles completaram o projeto antes do prazo. (They completed the project ahead of the deadline.)
It is also important to note the use of these verbs in different tenses. Both terminar and completar can be conjugated in various tenses to fit different contexts. Here are examples of both verbs in the present, past, and future tenses:
Present tense:
1. Eu termino meu trabalho às seis. (I finish my work at six.)
2. Eu completo minhas tarefas todos os dias. (I complete my tasks every day.)
Past tense:
1. Eu terminei o relatório ontem. (I finished the report yesterday.)
2. Eu completei o curso no ano passado. (I completed the course last year.)
Future tense:
1. Eu terminarei de estudar em uma hora. (I will finish studying in an hour.)
2. Eu completarei o trabalho amanhã. (I will complete the work tomorrow.)
In summary, while terminar and completar can both be translated as “to finish” or “to complete,” their usage is context-dependent. Terminar is used for the end of an ongoing process or event, while completar indicates the achievement of a goal or the fulfillment of a task. By understanding these nuances, English speakers learning Portuguese can use these verbs more accurately and effectively in their conversations.
To further illustrate the differences, consider the following scenarios:
1. Finishing a meal:
– Eu terminei de comer. (I finished eating.)
2. Completing a puzzle:
– Eu completei o quebra-cabeça. (I completed the puzzle.)
3. Ending a phone call:
– Eu terminei a ligação. (I ended the call.)
4. Completing a form:
– Eu completei o formulário. (I completed the form.)
By paying attention to the context and the nature of the action, learners can choose the appropriate verb and convey their messages more precisely. Keep practicing these distinctions, and soon enough, using terminar and completar correctly will become second nature. Happy learning!
