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acabar
/a.kaˈβaɾ/
What does "acabar" mean in English?
to finishVoy a acabar este proyecto antes del viernes.
I'm going to finish this project before Friday.
How to use "acabar" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
general
to finish or complete something
Acabé el libro anoche.
I finished the book last night.
¿Cuándo acabas de trabajar?
When do you finish work?
Used for actions or processes that reach completion.
general
to end or conclude
La película acaba con un giro inesperado.
The movie ends with an unexpected twist.
Often used for events, stories, or processes.
general
to run out of something
Se nos acaba el tiempo.
We're running out of time.
Used with 'se' to indicate depletion.
general
to have just done something (with 'de')
Acabo de llegar a casa.
I've just arrived home.
Expresses recent past actions.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Recent Past with 'acabar de'
Use 'acabar de' + infinitive to express actions that have just happened. Example: 'Acabo de comer' = 'I've just eaten'.
Gold Rule
Acabar vs. Terminar
While 'acabar' and 'terminar' both mean 'to finish', 'acabar' is more common in everyday speech and can imply exhaustion or completion of a process. 'Terminar' is slightly more formal and is often used for tasks or events.
Word Origin
From Latin 'accapāre' (to seize), derived from 'capere' (to take). Evolved in Old Spanish to mean 'to complete' or 'to finish'.
Usage Notes
Acabar is highly versatile. It can mean 'to finish', 'to end', 'to run out', or 'to have just done'. The preposition 'de' is used to indicate recent past actions (acabar de + infinitive). In some contexts, it can imply exhaustion or depletion (e.g., 'se nos acaba la paciencia').
Word Breakdown
a-
prefix indicating completion or intensification
prefix-cabar
from Latin 'capere' (to take)
rootDiccionario Español-Inglés