Meaning of French c’est fini in English

C’est fini is a common French phrase that translates to “It’s over” or “It’s finished” in English. The verb finir means “to finish,” so the phrase directly expresses the completion of something. Depending on the context, it can signal anything from the end of a conversation to the conclusion of a relationship, event, or task.

The meaning of c’est fini can be neutral, final, or even emotional. For example, if a teacher says C’est fini, posez vos stylos, they simply mean “Time’s up, put your pens down.” But in a breakup, C’est fini entre nous (“It’s over between us”) carries a much stronger emotional weight. The phrase can also be used in a relieved or dramatic way, such as when someone finishes a difficult task or expresses frustration — J’en peux plus, c’est fini pour moi! (“I can’t take it anymore, I’m done!”).

Unlike some English equivalents, c’est fini usually implies something is definitively over. Saying “It’s finished” in English might sound unnatural in some cases, but in French, c’est fini is a go-to phrase for closure. If you want to indicate something is done but not necessarily over for good, you might hear c’est terminé or simply c’est fait.

Interestingly, in some cases, c’est fini doesn’t just mean something is over — it can imply it’s ruined or beyond repair. If a French speaker dramatically declares C’est fini! after burning dinner, they don’t just mean the cooking is done; they mean the meal is a lost cause. So while the translation may be simple, the way it’s used can carry different shades of meaning depending on the situation.