Quiero terminar los deberes antes de cenar.

I want to finish the homework before dinner.

Breakdown of Quiero terminar los deberes antes de cenar.

• yo: I
• querer: to want
• cenar: to have dinner
• antes de: before
• terminar: to finish
• los deberes: the homework

Questions & Answers about Quiero terminar los deberes antes de cenar.

Why do we say Quiero terminar and not Quiero de terminar?

In Spanish, the verb querer (to want) is followed directly by an infinitive without the preposition de. For example, Quiero comer, Quiero salir, and Quiero terminar all omit de. This is simply the correct structure in Spanish grammar.

Why is it antes de cenar instead of something like antes cenar?

In Spanish, the phrase antes de + infinitive is required when expressing "before doing something." The preposition de cannot be dropped; you always use antes de plus the infinitive, such as antes de dormir, antes de salir, or antes de cenar.

Why do we use los deberes to talk about homework?

In Spain, los deberes is the common term for homework. Although la tarea can also mean homework in many Spanish-speaking countries, in Spain you will most often hear los deberes in both schools and everyday speech.

Can we replace terminar with acabar in this sentence?

Yes. Acabar can be used interchangeably with terminar in many contexts, so Quiero acabar los deberes antes de cenar would be perfectly acceptable and have the same meaning. Both verbs convey the idea of finishing something.

Is it necessary to say Quiero terminar mis deberes or is Quiero terminar los deberes enough?

Spanish often uses the definite article los to refer to possessions when it is contextually clear who owns the items. Because it's understood that the homework belongs to the speaker, mis can be dropped. Both Quiero terminar mis deberes and Quiero terminar los deberes are correct, but the latter is very common in everyday Spanish.