acabado
/ah-kah-BAH-doh/
finished
Acabado describes a task or item that is successfully finished.
acabado(adjective)
finished
?completed task or item
completed
?general completion
,ended
?a period or event
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
Like all Spanish descriptive words, 'acabado' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural). Remember to say 'acabada' for feminine nouns like 'tarea'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Ser and Estar
Mistake: "El trabajo es acabado."
Correction: El trabajo está acabado.
⭐ Usage Tips
It's the Past Participle
You will often see 'acabado' used with 'haber' (e.g., 'he acabado') to form perfect tenses, meaning 'I have finished'. When used this way, it generally does not change its ending.
Acabado refers to the finish or surface quality of an object, like a smooth, glossy texture.
acabado(noun)
finish
?surface treatment or quality
workmanship
?quality of execution
,coating
?protective layer
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'el acabado'
When used as a noun, 'acabado' is always masculine (el acabado). It refers to the physical final state or texture of an object, like paint, wood, or metal.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Verb and Noun
Mistake: "La coche tiene acabado."
Correction: El coche tiene un buen acabado.
⭐ Usage Tips
Technical Vocabulary
If you are reading product descriptions or discussing home decor, knowing 'acabado' is essential for describing the material's look and feel.
When used to describe a person, acabado means they are completely done for or utterly exhausted.
acabado(adjective)
done for
?extremely exhausted or ruined
worn out
?physically or emotionally tired
,ruined
?a place or thing
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Use with Estar
This emotional or physical state always uses the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) because it describes a current condition, not a permanent characteristic.
⭐ Usage Tips
Intense Fatigue
Using 'acabado' to describe a person's fatigue is stronger than just saying 'cansado' (tired); it implies total exhaustion or reaching one's limit.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: acabado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'acabado' as a noun describing quality?
📚 More Resources
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).