τελείωσαν
Wordform Details
Translation: to finishto completeto end
Part of Speech: verb
Inflection Type:
third-personpluralaoristIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: τελειώνω
Translation: to finish; to complete; to end; to conclude; to graduate (verb)
Etymology: From ancient Greek τελειόω (teleioō) meaning 'to complete, perfect, fulfill', derived from τέλειος (teleios) 'complete, perfect', which comes from τέλος (telos) 'end, goal, purpose'. This root appears in English words like 'teleology' (study of purpose), 'telephone' (distant sound), and 'television' (distant vision). The concept of τέλος as both 'end' and 'purpose' reflects the Greek philosophical idea that the end or goal of something reveals its true nature and purpose.
Example Usage
Τελείωσα το διάβασμα.
I finished studying.
Το φαγητό τελείωσε.
The food ran out.
Πότε τελειώνει η ταινία;
When does the movie end?
Τελείωσα τα μαθήματά μου.
I finished my homework.
Η ταινία τελειώνει στις δέκα.
The movie ends at ten.
Πρέπει να τελειώσω αυτή τη δουλειά σήμερα.
I need to complete this job today.
Τελείωσε το φαγητό σου!
Finish your food!
Τελειώνω τη δουλειά μου στις πέντε.
I finish my work at five.
Πότε τελειώνεις το πανεπιστήμιο;
When do you graduate from university?
Η ταινία τελειώνει σε δέκα λεπτά.
The movie ends in ten minutes.
Mnemonics
- Think 'tele-' (distant/far) + 'end' - when something reaches its distant end, it's finished
- Remember 'teleology' - the study of final purposes, just as τελειώνω means reaching the final point
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in educational contexts when referring to graduation or completing studies. Also frequently used in everyday situations for finishing tasks, work, or activities. The verb can express both physical completion and temporal ending.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Both start with 'τελε-' but τηλεφωνώ means 'to telephone' while τελειώνω means 'to finish'. The similarity comes from the shared 'tele-' prefix but they have completely different meanings.
Confused word:
Τηλεφωνώ στη μητέρα μου.
I call my mother.
Notes: Pay attention to the vowels: τελειώνω has 'ει' while τηλεφωνώ has 'η' and 'ε'
Mnemonic: τελειώνω = 'telos' (end), τηλεφωνώ = 'telephone' (phone)