acabado
“acabado” means “finished” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
finished
Also: completed, ended
📝 In Action
La tarea está acabada. ¡Por fin!
A2The homework is finished. Finally!
¿Ya has visto el mural acabado?
B1Have you already seen the completed mural?
El libro quedó acabado el martes pasado.
B1The book was finished last Tuesday.
finish
Also: workmanship, coating
📝 In Action
El acabado brillante de este coche es impresionante.
B1The glossy finish of this car is impressive.
Busco un acabado mate para la pared de la cocina.
B2I'm looking for a matte finish for the kitchen wall.
Se nota un acabado de primera calidad en los muebles.
C1A top-quality workmanship is noticeable in the furniture.
done for
Also: worn out, ruined
📝 In Action
Después de la excursión, el corredor estaba completamente acabado.
B2After the hike, the runner was completely done for/exhausted.
El viejo motor ya estaba acabado y tuvimos que reemplazarlo.
B2The old engine was already worn out and we had to replace it.
Si el negocio cierra, estamos acabados.
C1If the business closes, we are ruined/done for.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "acabado" in Spanish:
coating→completed→done for→finished→ruined→workmanship→worn out→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: acabado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'acabado' as a noun describing quality?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the verb 'acabar,' which itself came from a combination of the Latin prefix 'ad-' (to, toward) and 'capum' or 'caput' (head or end). So, the core meaning is literally 'to reach the end.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around the 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'acabado' the same as 'terminado'?
They are usually interchangeable when describing something that is completed (The project is finished). However, 'acabado' is slightly more flexible, as it also works as a noun (the finish/texture) and informally to describe being exhausted ('done for').
How do I make 'acabado' feminine or plural?
Since 'acabado' functions as an adjective in two of its main senses, you change the ending to match the noun: 'acabada' (feminine singular), 'acabados' (masculine plural), and 'acabadas' (feminine plural).