Acabar vs Terminar – To Finish
Descubre la diferencia entre acabar y terminar en español: matices de uso, fases de acción, y ejemplos claros para elegir el verbo correcto al expresar 'to finish' en distintas estructuras.
Discover the difference between acabar and terminar in Spanish: nuances of usage, action stages, and clear examples to choose the correct verb when expressing 'to finish' in different constructions.
In Spanish both acabar and terminar mean to finish but they have slightly different uses and nuances. This guide explains when to use each with clear examples.
Acabar
Use acabar to emphasize that something has just finished or that you have run out of time or material. It often appears with de + infinitive to show that an action was completed very recently.
Acabar de
Acabar de expresses that you have just done something seconds or minutes ago. Use it with an infinitive to highlight the recent completion.
Acabar de expresa que acabas de hacer algo hace unos segundos o minutos. Úsalo con un infinitivo para resaltar la finalización reciente.
I just finished eating.
Examples
Acabar Se
When acabar is used reflexively as acabar se it means to end up doing something or to finally do something after a process. This useful construction changes the nuance.
Cuando acabar se usa reflexivamente como acabar se, significa terminar por hacer algo o finalmente hacer algo después de un proceso. Esta construcción útil cambia el matiz.
We ended up watching a movie.
Examples
Utiliza acabar para enfatizar que algo acaba de terminar o que te quedaste sin tiempo o material. A menudo aparece con de + infinitivo para mostrar que una acción fue completada muy recientemente.
Terminar
Terminar is more neutral and simply means to finish or bring something to an end. It can be used with nouns or with de + infinitive when referring to completing an activity.
Termin ar de
Use terminar de + infinitive to indicate that an action has been completed. This is common when you finish doing something specific.
Examples
Terminar Se
When used reflexively as termin ar se the verb can mean that something ended or that you ended up in a certain state. It highlights the conclusion of an event or condition.
Cuando terminar se usa reflexivamente como terminar se, el verbo puede significar que algo terminó o que tú terminaste en cierto estado. Resalta la conclusión de un evento o condición.
The meeting ended late.
Examples
Terminar es más neutral y simplemente significa completar o poner fin a algo. Puede usarse con sustantivos o con de + infinitivo al referirse a la conclusión de una actividad.
Differences
Acabar focuses more on the completion or recent finishing, often with a sense of immediacy, while termin ar is more neutral and general. Use acabar de for very recent actions and terminar de for completed activities.
Summary
Use acabar to stress that something has just finished or to highlight the end of a resource or period, especially with acabar de + infinitive. Use termin ar for more neutral endings and to signal that you have completed an action. Remember the reflexive forms to express endings or outcomes.
Suggested Reading
Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Spanish by Dorothy Richmond
No Nonsense Spanish Workbook by Eric W. Vogt & My Daily Spanish
The Everything Learning Spanish Book by Julie Gutin
Collins Easy Learning: Spanish Conversation by Collins Dictionaries
Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation by Jean Yates
Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish by Margarita Madrigal
Spanish All-In-One For Dummies by Susana Wald & Cecie Kraynak
Easy Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein
Barron’s 501 Spanish Verbs by Christopher Kendris and Theodore Kendris
Complete Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein
Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar by Gilda Nissenberg
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