How to use “Terminar” in Portuguese basic sentences

Introduction

Learning how to use the verb Terminar is essential for beginners in Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains its meanings, conjugation basics, common phrases, and practical examples you can use in daily conversations, schedules, messages, and menus.

What does terminar mean?

The verb Terminar generally means to finish, end, or conclude. It is a regular -ar verb and is used in many everyday contexts: finishing work, ending a class, closing a store, or completing a task. Understanding this verb helps you talk about time, plans, deadlines, and simple actions.

Key senses of terminar

1. To finish an activity: terminar o trabalho, terminar a comida

2. To end in time or duration: A reunião termina às 17h

3. To end a relationship or agreement: terminar um relacionamento

4. To be over or done: O filme terminou

Basic conjugation: present, past, and future

Here are simple conjugations a beginner should learn. Because Terminar is regular, you can apply these endings to other -ar verbs too.

Present tense (simple and very common)

Eu termino — I finish

Você termina — You finish (singular, formal or informal)

Ele/Ela termina — He/She finishes

Nós terminamos — We finish

Vocês terminam — You finish (plural)

Eles/Elas terminam — They finish

Simple past (pretérito perfeito)

Eu terminei — I finished

Você terminou — You finished

Ele/Ela terminou — He/She finished

Nós terminamos — We finished

Vocês terminaram — You finished (plural)

Eles/Elas terminaram — They finished

Future tense (futuro simples)

Eu terminarei — I will finish

Você terminará — You will finish

Ele/Ela terminará — He/She will finish

Nós terminaremos — We will finish

Vocês terminarão — You will finish (plural)

Eles/Elas terminarão — They will finish

Common phrases and everyday examples

Here are realistic beginner-level sentences using terminar in situations you will encounter in Brazil.

Simple statements about schedules

A aula termina às 20h.

O mercado termina a promoção hoje.

Talking about tasks or work

Eu termino o relatório agora.

Você terminou a lição de casa?

Messages and short notes

Terminei, posso ir?

Não posso falar agora, termino à tarde.

Restaurant and food context

O serviço termina às 22h.

A sobremesa terminou, acabou.

Travel and transit examples

O ônibus termina a rota na praça central.

O voo termina em São Paulo às 23h30.

Social and personal situations

Eles terminaram o relacionamento ontem.

Terminamos a festa às 2h da manhã.

Practical examples for beginners with translations

Below are beginner-friendly examples with short translations to help you memorize common patterns.

Eu termino o almoço às 12h.
I finish lunch at 12 pm.

Você terminou de estudar?
Did you finish studying?

A loja termina o expediente às 18h.
The store finishes work at 6 pm.

Nós terminamos o projeto hoje.
We finished the project today.

Ela terminará o curso no próximo mês.
She will finish the course next month.

O filme terminou, vamos embora?
The movie ended, shall we go?

Useful vocabulary related to terminar

These words often appear with terminar and will help build phrases.

horário — schedule, time

expediente — working hours, shift

término — end, ending (noun)

acabar — to finish, to end (synonym but slightly different use)

finalizar — to finalize, to complete (more formal)

concluir — to conclude (formal or literary)

Difference between terminar, acabar, and finalizar

Terminar is neutral and very common for daily actions. Acabar is also very frequent and can sound more informal; it is often used in conversational speech. Finalizar and concluir are more formal and common in written contexts, work, or official messages.

Beginner tips for using terminar naturally

1. Use present tense to describe routines: A aula termina às 18h.

2. Use pretérito perfeito to report completed actions: Eu terminei agora.

3. Use the infinitive with modal verbs: Preciso terminar o trabalho.

4. Combine with time expressions: Termino em cinco minutos; Terminei ontem à noite.

5. When asking questions, use verb-subject order or intonation: Você terminou? or Terminou você? The first is more common.

Short dialogues for practice

Conversation at school

Aluno: A aula termina agora?
Professor: Sim, termina às 16h30.

At work

Chefe: Você terminou o relatório?
Funcionário: Quase, termino até as 17h.

At a store

Cliente: A promoção terminou?
Atendente: Terminou ontem.

Common mistakes beginners make

Mistake 1: Confusing terminar with acabar in formal settings. Use finalizar or concluir if you need a formal tone. For casual speech, acabar and terminar are often interchangeable.

Mistake 2: Wrong conjugation for nós in past tense. Eu terminei and nós terminamos look similar, so use context to avoid confusion.

Mistake 3: Forgetting reflexive or pronominal forms where needed. For relationships, you might hear Eles terminaram o namoro, not Eles se terminaram. Do not add se in many cases.

Mistake 4: Using infinitive without preposition after certain verbs. Say Preciso terminar o trabalho, not Preciso de terminar o trabalho in Brazilian Portuguese. The preposition de is often omitted.

Practice exercises

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of terminar.

1. Eu _____ (terminar) agora.

2. A loja _____ (terminar) às 20h.

3. Nós _____ (terminar) o jantar ontem.

4. Ela _____ (terminar) o curso no próximo mês.

Answers:

1. termino

2. termina

3. terminamos

4. terminará

How to recognize terminar in signs and schedules

In Brazil you will see termina or termina às on timetables and signs. Examples:

Funcionamento: termina às 22h — Opening hours end at 10 pm.

Inscrições terminam em 30/06 — Registrations end on June 30.

Quick survival phrases using terminar

Terminei, posso sair? — I finished, can I leave?

Quando termina? — When does it end?

Termina hoje? — Does it end today?

Já terminou? — Is it already finished?

Conclusion

Mastering Terminar gives beginners a practical tool to talk about endings, schedules, and completed tasks. Learn the basic conjugations, use common phrases, and practice with short dialogues and signs. With these realistic examples and tips you will feel confident using terminar in everyday Brazilian Portuguese situations.