A comprehensive comparison of two Spanish verbs for "to finish," including usage, meaning, examples, and common expressions.
Understanding the difference between acabar and terminar is key to expressing "to finish" accurately in Spanish. While both verbs can mean "to end" or "to complete," they are used in different contexts and have unique grammatical patterns.
Meanings and Usage
Acabar and terminar both convey the idea of finishing something, but their uses differ:
- Acabar often implies completing something just now, running out of something, or putting an end to an action. It can also mean "to end up" doing something when followed by an -ando/-iendo form (gerund).
- Terminar is more neutral and formal, used for completing tasks, ending events, or concluding situations. It focuses on the completion itself without the nuance of timing or consequence.
Examples
Acabar
- Acabo de comer. (I just finished eating.)
- Se acabó el pan. (The bread is all gone.)
- Acabé leyendo un libro. (I ended up reading a book.)
Terminar
- Terminé el informe. (I finished the report.)
- La película termina a las 10. (The movie ends at 10.)
- Terminamos la reunión temprano. (We ended the meeting early.)
Grammar Points
Acabar de + Infinitive
Use acabar de to say you have just done something:
- Acabo de llegar. (I just arrived.)
- Acabamos de salir. (We just left.)
Acabar + Gerundio
Expresses "ending up" doing something, often unexpectedly:
- Acabé trabajando toda la noche. (I ended up working all night.)
- Acaba cocinando ella. (She ends up cooking.)
Reflexive Form (acabarse)
Means something runs out or is used up:
- Se acabó la leche. (The milk is finished/gone.)
- Se acabaron las entradas. (The tickets are sold out.)
Terminar + de + Infinitive
Use terminar de to indicate the completion of an action:
- Terminé de estudiar. (I finished studying.)
- ¿Terminaste de escribir? (Did you finish writing?)
Common Contexts
Acabar
- Just completing something (often recently)
- Running out of supplies or resources
- Ending up doing something, especially unexpectedly
- Bringing a situation to a close
Terminar
- Completing tasks, work, or assignments
- Ending scheduled events or periods of time
- Concluding relationships or agreements formally
- Finishing something in a planned or expected way
Nuances and Connotations
- Acabar can carry a sense of finality or exhaustion ("It's over," "I'm done"), and is more conversational.
- Terminar is more neutral and can be used in formal writing or speech without emotional weight.
- Avoid using terminar to express "running out" of something; use acabarse instead.
Summary
- Use acabar for: just finishing something (acabar de), running out of something (acabarse), or ending up doing something (acabar + gerundio).
- Use terminar for: completing tasks, ending events, or concluding situations, especially in a neutral or formal context.
- Both can mean "to finish," but context determines the most natural choice.
Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025
