What is finish? Pronunciation and usage in English

finish means . Learn how to pronounce and use finish through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of finish

finishverb

/ˈfɪnɪʃ/
Definition & pronunciation of finish

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "finish" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "Fin-": This part sounds like "fin" as in "fish." It's a short, crisp "f" sound followed by a quick "in."
  • "-ish": This part sounds like "ish" as in "wish" or "dish."

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word is pronounced as "fin-ish" (rhymes with "wish").

3. Key Points & Common Mistakes:

  • Don’t say “fin-n-ish”: The "n" is silent. It's a very common mistake!
  • Short and quick: Both parts of the word are spoken quickly and concisely.
  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable: "fin-".

4. Phonetic Transcription (for those who like it):

[fɪnɪʃ] (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

  • fɪ: Sounds like the "f" followed by a short "i" sound (like in "bit").
  • n: The "n" sound.
  • ɪʃ: Sounds like the "i" in "bit" followed by a "sh" sound.

Resources to Help You:

To help me give you even more tailored guidance, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or learning English?
  • What specifically is tripping you up about the pronunciation (e.g., the silent "n")?

Usage and examples with the word finish in English

Let's break down how to use the word "finish" in English. It's a remarkably versatile word with many different meanings and uses! Here's a breakdown categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (to complete something):

  • General Completion: This is the most common usage. It means to bring something to an end or to fully complete it.
    • “I finished my homework.” (Completed the task)
    • “She finished the race in first place.” (Reached the end of the event)
    • “We finished building the treehouse.” (Completed the construction)
  • To end a period of time:
    • “The meeting finished at 5 pm.” (Ended at a specific time)
    • “The movie finished after two hours.” (Lasted a certain duration)
  • To stop doing something:
    • “He finished smoking.” (Stopped smoking)
    • “She finished talking.” (Stopped speaking)

2. As a Verb (to give something a final coat/touch):

  • Painting/Decorating: This is particularly common in crafts and art.
    • “I need to finish the painting with a clear coat.”
    • “He finished the table with varnish.”
  • Other Surface Treatments:
    • “I finished the shoes with polish.”

3. As an Adjective (completed, final):

  • Completed: Describes something that is finished.
    • “I have a finished drawing.” (A drawing that’s done)
    • “The finished product looked great.” (The completed item)
  • Final: Indicates the last stage or result.
    • “This is the finish line.” (The final point)
    • “It’s the finish of the season.” (The concluding part)

4. As a Noun (the end, the last part):

  • The end of a race or competition:
    • “He crossed the finish line.” (The point where a race ends)
    • “The finish of the game was exciting.” (The final moments of the game)
  • A border or edge: (Less common, but still used)
    • “The finish of the carpet was frayed.” (The edge of the carpet was worn)

Here are some useful phrases using "finish":

  • To finish something off: To complete something, often with a final touch. “Just finish off the salad with some dressing.”
  • To be finished: To have completed something. “Are you finished yet?”
  • To have finished: Similar to "to be finished," emphasizing that the action is completed. “I have finished writing my report.”
  • Finish strong: To perform well at the end of something. “He needs to finish strong in the final quarter.”

Resources to help you learn more:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you trying to use "finish" in? (e.g., writing, speaking, a particular subject like sports or art?)

Synonyms for the word finish

Comment ()