Finalizar Conjugation in Spanish
finalizar means "to finish" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the project in June, the meeting at six, the book before summer and the course with an exam. This page gives you the complete conjugation of finalizar in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. finalizar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo finalizo el proyecto en junio. — "Every day, I finish the project in June." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: finalizar
- English: to finish
- Verb type: spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: finalizando
- Past participle: finalizado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + finalizado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of finalizar with all six persons. The gerund is finalizando and the past participle is finalizado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | finalizo |
| tú | finalizas |
| él/ella/Ud. | finaliza |
| nosotros/as | finalizamos |
| vosotros/as | finalizáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | finalizan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | finalicé |
| tú | finalizaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | finalizó |
| nosotros/as | finalizamos |
| vosotros/as | finalizasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | finalizaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | finalizaba |
| tú | finalizabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | finalizaba |
| nosotros/as | finalizábamos |
| vosotros/as | finalizabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | finalizaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | finalizaré |
| tú | finalizarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | finalizará |
| nosotros/as | finalizaremos |
| vosotros/as | finalizaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | finalizarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | finalizaría |
| tú | finalizarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | finalizaría |
| nosotros/as | finalizaríamos |
| vosotros/as | finalizaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | finalizarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he finalizado |
| tú | has finalizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha finalizado |
| nosotros/as | hemos finalizado |
| vosotros/as | habéis finalizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han finalizado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había finalizado |
| tú | habías finalizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había finalizado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos finalizado |
| vosotros/as | habíais finalizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían finalizado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré finalizado |
| tú | habrás finalizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá finalizado |
| nosotros/as | habremos finalizado |
| vosotros/as | habréis finalizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán finalizado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría finalizado |
| tú | habrías finalizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría finalizado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos finalizado |
| vosotros/as | habríais finalizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían finalizado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | finalice |
| tú | finalices |
| él/ella/Ud. | finalice |
| nosotros/as | finalicemos |
| vosotros/as | finalicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | finalicen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | finalizara |
| tú | finalizaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | finalizara |
| nosotros/as | finalizáramos |
| vosotros/as | finalizarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | finalizaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | finaliza |
| él/ella/Ud. | finalice |
| nosotros/as | finalicemos |
| vosotros/as | finalizad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | finalicen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | finalices |
| él/ella/Ud. | finalice |
| nosotros/as | finalicemos |
| vosotros/as | finalicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | finalicen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about finalizar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of finalizar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo finalizo el proyecto en junio. — "Every day, I finish the project in June." For finalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem finaliz- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of finalizar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo finalicé la reunión a las seis. — "Yesterday, I finished the meeting at six." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is finalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example finalice. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of finalizar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo finalizaba el libro antes del verano. — "In the past, I used to finish the book before summer." For finalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem finaliz- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of finalizar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros finalizaremos el curso con un examen. — "Tomorrow, we will finish the course with an exam." For finalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem finaliz- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of finalizar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú finalizarías el proyecto en junio. — "If you could, you would finish the project in June." For finalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem finaliz- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of finalizar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he finalizado la reunión a las seis. — "I have finished the meeting at six." For finalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem finaliz- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of finalizar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había finalizado el libro antes del verano. — "Before the party, I had finished the book before summer." For finalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem finaliz- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of finalizar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré finalizado el curso con un examen. — "By tomorrow, I will have finished the course with an exam." For finalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem finaliz- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of finalizar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría finalizado el proyecto en junio. — "If I had been able to, I would have finished the project in June." For finalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem finaliz- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of finalizar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él finalice la reunión a las seis. — "I hope that he/she finishes the meeting at six." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is finalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example finalice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of finalizar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él finalizara el libro antes del verano, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she finished the book before summer, everything would turn out better." For finalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem finaliz- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of finalizar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Finaliza el curso con un examen! — "Finish the course with an exam!" Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is finalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example finalice. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of finalizar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No finalices el proyecto en junio. — "Do not finish the project in June." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is finalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example finalice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: finalizar in real sentences
Ten sentences with finalizar, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo finalizo el proyecto en junio. — "Every day, I finish the project in June." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo finalicé la reunión a las seis. — "Yesterday, I finished the meeting at six." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo finalizaba el libro antes del verano. — "In the past, I used to finish the book before summer." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros finalizaremos el curso con un examen. — "Tomorrow, we will finish the course with an exam." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú finalizarías el proyecto en junio. — "If you could, you would finish the project in June." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he finalizado la reunión a las seis. — "I have finished the meeting at six." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él finalice el libro antes del verano. — "I hope that he/she finishes the book before summer." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él finalizara el curso con un examen, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she finished the course with an exam, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Finaliza el proyecto en junio! — "Finish the project in June!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy finalizando la reunión a las seis. — "Now, I am finishing the meeting at six." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with finalizar
The errors learners actually make with finalizar, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me finalizo el proyecto en junio.
- Right: Yo finalizo el proyecto en junio.
- Why: finalizar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo finalizo el proyecto en junio. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él finaliza la reunión a las seis.
- Right: Espero que él finalice la reunión a las seis.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for finalizar the subjunctive also changes z to c: finalice, not finaliza.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo finalizo la reunión a las seis.
- Right: Ayer, yo finalicé la reunión a las seis.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo finalicé la reunión a las seis. — "Yesterday, I finished the meeting at six."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy finalizado el libro antes del verano.
- Right: Estoy finalizando el libro antes del verano.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund finalizando for the progressive. The participle finalizado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he finalizado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros finaliza el proyecto en junio.
- Right: Nosotros finalizamos el proyecto en junio.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes finalizamos, while finaliza belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: finalizar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on finalizar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of finalizar in the present tense?
- (a) finalizas
- (b) finaliza
- (c) finalizamos
- (d) finalizo
Answer: (d) finalizo. The yo form is finalizo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of finalizar in the present tense?
- (a) finaliza
- (b) finalizamos
- (c) finalizas
- (d) finalizo
Answer: (c) finalizas. The tú form is finalizas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of finalizar in the present tense?
- (a) finalizamos
- (b) finaliza
- (c) finalizo
- (d) finalizas
Answer: (b) finaliza. The él/ella form is finaliza. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of finalizar in the present tense?
- (a) finalizamos
- (b) finalizo
- (c) finalizas
- (d) finaliza
Answer: (a) finalizamos. The nosotros form is finalizamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of finalizar in the present tense?
- (a) finalizo
- (b) finalizas
- (c) finaliza
- (d) finalizan
Answer: (d) finalizan. The ellos/ellas form is finalizan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of finalizar?
- (a) finalizado
- (b) finalizo
- (c) finalizar
- (d) finalizando
Answer: (d) finalizando. The gerund is finalizando, used for the progressive: estoy finalizando.
7. What is the past participle of finalizar?
- (a) finalicé
- (b) finalizar
- (c) finalizado
- (d) finalizando
Answer: (c) finalizado. The past participle is finalizado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he finalizado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ el proyecto en junio.
- (a) finalizamos
- (b) finalizo
- (c) finalizas
- (d) finaliza
Answer: (b) finalizo. The sentence needs the yo form finalizo (Every day, I finish the project in June.)
9. What is the yo form of finalizar in the preterite?
- (a) finalicé
- (b) finalizaste
- (c) finalizó
- (d) finalizamos
Answer: (a) finalicé. The yo preterite is finalicé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el libro antes del verano.
- (a) finalicemos
- (b) finalicéis
- (c) finalice
- (d) finalices
Answer: (c) finalice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is finalice.
Frequently asked questions about finalizar
Is finalizar regular?
Almost. finalizar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is finalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example finalice. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does finalizar mean, and when do I use it?
finalizar means "to finish" in English. Use it when you talk about the project in June, the meeting at six, the book before summer and the course with an exam — for example: Yo finalizo el proyecto en junio. — "I finish the project in June." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo finalizo el proyecto en junio. — "I finish the project in June." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is there a reflexive form of finalizar?
No. finalizar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo finalizo el proyecto en junio. — "I finish the project in June." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with finalizar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo finalizo el proyecto en junio. — "I finish the project in June." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo finalicé el proyecto en junio. — "Yesterday, I finished the project in June." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.