fertigstellen

Fertigstellen is a German verb meaning to bring something to a finished state or to complete and finalize it. The term is used for tasks, projects, documents, products, and processes, indicating the transition from an unfinished to a finished condition. It is typically used transitively, as in Ich stelle die Arbeit fertig. In perfect tenses the form is fertiggestellt (Ich habe die Arbeit fertiggestellt), and in the passive voice it appears as Die Arbeit wurde fertiggestellt.

Etymology and nuances: Fertigstellen combines fertig (ready, completed) with stellen (to place or put), conveying the act of placing something in a ready or finished state. The action emphasizes completion and readiness for final use, release, or delivery.

Common contexts: In construction and manufacturing, fertigstellen marks the finalization stage of a product or project. In software development, it refers to finishing features or a release candidate. In administration or publishing, it denotes completing documents or manuscripts before dissemination. The related noun form most often used is Fertigstellung (completion); das Fertigstellen is possible but less common as a noun.

Synonyms and related terms: abschließen, beenden, vollenden, finalisieren. These terms share the sense of bringing something to an end, with nuances in formality and specific domain usage.