Common mistakes
J'ai fini or je suis fini? The English "I'm finished" trap
"I'm finished" is j'ai fini in French. Je suis fini means you are done for, ruined. See why, with examples and a short correction exercise.
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In short
Say J'ai fini for "I'm finished / I've finished" (a task is complete). Je suis fini sounds like "I'm done for", as if your life or career were over. The same goes for J'ai terminé.
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j'ai finiI've finished
Focus: the task is complete
avoir + fini (+ de + infinitive)
J'ai fini mes devoirs.
I've finished my homework.
Tu as fini de manger ?
Have you finished eating?
je suis finiI'm done for
Focus: a person who is ruined or exhausted beyond repair
être + fini (adjective)
Après ce scandale, il est fini.
After this scandal, he's finished.
Le match est fini.
The match is over.
Fini after être is an adjective describing a state. With a thing, that's perfectly normal: le film est fini (the film is over), les vacances sont finies. With a person, it means they're done for. To talk about your work, use avoir + fini.
- fini (after être)finished (with a task)over, done for
Je suis fini : le patron a vu mon erreur.I'm done for: the boss saw my mistake.
For a finished task, say j'ai fini or j'ai terminé.
- terminé (after être)finished (with a task)over, closed
La réunion est terminée.The meeting is over.
For yourself, say j'ai terminé (I've finished).
Is it j’ai fini or je suis fini?
- Je suis fini avec le rapport.J'ai fini le rapport.
A completed task takes avoir + fini, and the object follows directly.
- Tu es fini ?Tu as fini ?
At the end of a meal or a task, ask Tu as fini ?
- Je suis fini de travailler à six heures.Je finis de travailler à six heures.
For a daily routine, use the present je finis.
- Nous sommes terminés.Nous avons terminé.
Terminer works like finir: avoir for completing something.
- Serveur
Vous avez fini ? Je peux débarrasser ?
Have you finished? Can I clear the table?
- Vous
Oui, j'ai fini, merci. C'était très bon.
Yes, I've finished, thanks. It was very good.
- Serveur
Un dessert ?
A dessert?
- Vous
Non merci, je n'ai plus faim.
No thanks, I'm full.