Meaning
To complete a job or task.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'finalizar el trabajo' often leads to 'el tapeo'. It's common for colleagues to go out for a drink and a small snack (tapa) immediately after finishing their shift to decompress. The term 'chamba' is so culturally ingrained that 'finalizar la chamba' sounds more natural in many offices than the formal 'trabajo'. It reflects a hard-working but communal spirit. Argentines often use 'laburo'. Finishing 'el laburo' is a significant daily milestone, often followed by a 'merienda' (afternoon snack) or meeting friends for 'mate'. Colombian professional culture is quite formal. Using 'finalizar el trabajo' in an office in Bogotá will mark you as a respectful and well-educated professional.
Use it in your CV
When listing accomplishments, use 'Finalicé el trabajo de...' to sound more proactive and result-oriented.
Watch the 'z' to 'c'
In written Spanish, 'finalizé' is a common spelling error. It must be 'finalicé'.
Meaning
To complete a job or task.
Use it in your CV
When listing accomplishments, use 'Finalicé el trabajo de...' to sound more proactive and result-oriented.
Watch the 'z' to 'c'
In written Spanish, 'finalizé' is a common spelling error. It must be 'finalicé'.
Regional Work Words
If you are in Argentina, using 'finalizar el laburo' will make you sound like a local instantly.
Test Yourself
Conjugate the verb 'finalizar' in the preterite (past) tense for 'Yo'.
Ayer, yo ________ el trabajo a las ocho de la noche.
In Spanish, verbs ending in -zar change the 'z' to 'c' before an 'e' in the preterite 'yo' form.
Which sentence is the most professional for an email to a boss?
Select the best option:
'Finalizar' and 'solicitado' (requested) create a professional, formal tone.
Match the regional word for 'trabajo' with its country.
Match the following:
These are common regionalisms you will hear instead of 'trabajo'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
Juan: ¿Quieres ir al cine? Maria: Sí, pero primero tengo que ________.
The standard collocation is 'finalizar' + 'el trabajo'.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Where would you say 'Damos por finalizado el trabajo'?
'Damos por finalizado' is a very formal, authoritative expression.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesAyer, yo ________ el trabajo a las ocho de la noche.
In Spanish, verbs ending in -zar change the 'z' to 'c' before an 'e' in the preterite 'yo' form.
Select the best option:
'Finalizar' and 'solicitado' (requested) create a professional, formal tone.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common regionalisms you will hear instead of 'trabajo'.
Juan: ¿Quieres ir al cine? Maria: Sí, pero primero tengo que ________.
The standard collocation is 'finalizar' + 'el trabajo'.
Where would you say 'Damos por finalizado el trabajo'?
'Damos por finalizado' is a very formal, authoritative expression.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, 'terminar' is much more common in daily speech. 'Finalizar' is preferred in professional, written, or formal contexts.
Yes, it sounds very diligent. 'He finalizado mi tarea' is perfectly correct.
'Acabar' often implies finishing the very last part of something or running out of something. 'Finalizar' is more about reaching a planned conclusion.
You can say 'Estoy finalizando' or 'Ya casi termino'.
It is always 'finalizar el trabajo'. 'Al' is a contraction of 'a + el', and 'finalizar' doesn't usually require the preposition 'a' here.
Related Phrases
Dar por finalizado
specialized formTo consider something officially finished.
Terminar la jornada
similarTo finish the workday.
Cumplir con el deber
builds onTo fulfill one's duty.
Dejar de trabajar
contrastTo stop working.
