Breakdown of Finalmente terminamos de leer este capítulo largo.
de
from / of
leer
to read
largo
long
terminar
to finish / to end
este
this
finalmente
finally
el capítulo
the chapter
Questions & Answers about Finalmente terminamos de leer este capítulo largo.
Why is it terminamos de leer (to read) instead of using the word for 'reading' (leyendo)?
In English, we say 'finish doing [something]' using an '-ing' word. In Spanish, to say you finish doing an action, you use the phrase terminar de followed by the infinitive (the unconjugated verb ending in -ar, -er, or -ir). So, 'finish reading' always translates to terminar de leer. You should never use the '-ndo' form after terminar de.
The translation says 'we finish', but couldn't terminamos also mean 'we finished' in the past tense?
Yes, it could be either! For regular '-ar' verbs like terminar, the nosotros (we) form is identical in both the present tense and the preterite (simple past) tense. Both are terminamos. You have to rely entirely on the context of the conversation to know if it means 'we finish' or 'we finished'.
Why is the word for 'this' este instead of esto?
Capítulo is a masculine singular noun, so it needs the masculine singular word for 'this', which is este (as in este capítulo). Esto is a neutral word used only for abstract concepts or unknown objects (like saying 'What is this?' -> ¿Qué es esto?). You never put esto directly in front of a noun.
Does largo mean 'large' or 'long' here?
Largo is a classic 'false friend' - it looks like the English word 'large', but it actually means 'long' in Spanish! If you wanted to say it was a 'large' or big chapter, you would use the word grande.
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