"Done" in Spanish is most accurately translated as hecho when describing completed actions, or listo in informal contexts meaning "ready" or "finished." These terms differ by context, region, and grammatical role.
Hecho functions as the past participle of the verb hacer (to do/make). It's used in passive constructions such as El trabajo está hecho ("The work is done"). This form appears in formal and written Spanish across Latin America and Spain. For example, in a report: La tarea ha sido hecha por el equipo (The task has been done by the team).
Listo is the most common spoken equivalent. It means "ready" or "finished" in casual conversation. You'll hear it in phrases like Ya estoy listo para salir ("I'm done getting ready to leave"). It's widely used in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Central America. In Spain, listo is also standard, though some regions prefer terminado.
| Spanish Word | English Meaning | Usage Context | Region Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hecho | Completed, finished (formal) | Passive voice, reports, formal speech | Spain, Colombia, Chile |
| Listo | Ready, finished (informal) | Everyday speech, texting, quick replies | Mexico, Argentina, Guatemala |
| Terminado | Finished, concluded | Neutral tone, academic or professional settings | Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela |
While hecho and listo are the go-to translations, learners often misapply them. A common error is using hecho in response to "Are you done?"-e.g., Sí, hecho-which sounds unnatural. Native speakers would say Sí, listo or Ya terminé. The phrase Estoy hecho incorrectly implies someone is physically broken, not finished.
Another frequent mistake is confusing hecho with hecho as a noun. Hecho can refer to an event or action, as in Un hecho importante ("an important event"). But in completion, it must agree in gender and number with the subject. For example: Las tareas están hechas (The tasks are done), not están hecho.
One non-obvious distinction: Listo is often used to signal readiness, not just completion. In Mexico, saying ¿Listo? before a game or meeting means "Are you ready?" rather than "Is it finished?" This reflects how Spanish uses listo as a state of preparedness, not just a past condition.
I once watched a live video call between a U.S. teacher and a Spanish-speaking student in Bogotá. When asked, "¿Ya terminaste la tarea?" the student replied, "Sí, listo." The teacher nodded, understanding that "listo" meant both "done" and "ready to submit." This illustrates how listo functions as a social cue, not just a linguistic marker.
To master how to say "done" in Spanish, focus on context. Use hecho in formal writing or passive structures. Choose listo for quick responses. Avoid mixing them in the same sentence. Practice with audio clips from native speakers in your target region-apps like Forvo or YouTube channels like SpanishPod101 offer authentic pronunciation models.
Remember: Hecho describes an action's completion. Listo signals readiness. Terminado emphasizes finality. Knowing which to use prevents misunderstandings in real conversations.
Understanding how to say "done" in Spanish isn't just about vocabulary-it's about matching tone, timing, and cultural nuance. confirming a task, choosing the right word ensures clarity and confidence.