How to Say "to end" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to end” is “acabar” — use 'acabar' when you are personally bringing a task, activity, or project to completion, often implying the action of finishing.
acabar
ah-kah-BAHRa.kaˈβaɾ
Examples
Necesito acabar este informe antes de las cinco.
I need to finish this report before five o'clock.
La película acaba con un final inesperado.
The movie ends with an unexpected conclusion.
¿Cuándo acabas de trabajar hoy?
When are you finishing work today?
Simple Usage
Use 'acabar' just like 'finish' in English. If you finished a task, put the task right after the verb: Acabé la cena (I finished dinner).
terminar
ter-mee-NARteɾ.miˈnaɾ
Examples
Tengo que terminar mi tarea.
I have to finish my homework.
¿A qué hora termina la película?
What time does the movie end?
Cuando termines de leer, apaga la luz.
When you finish reading, turn off the light.
Saying you 'finished doing' something
To say you finished an action, use the pattern 'terminar de' followed by the base form of the other verb. For example, 'Terminé de comer' means 'I finished eating'.
Forgetting 'de'
Mistake: “Voy a terminar leer el libro.”
Correction: Voy a terminar de leer el libro. When you follow 'terminar' with another action (verb), you almost always need the little word 'de' in between.
concluir
kohn-kloo-EERkoŋ.kluˈiɾ
Examples
El profesor concluyó la clase con una pregunta interesante.
The teacher finished the class with an interesting question.
Debemos concluir este informe para mañana por la mañana.
We must complete this report by tomorrow morning.
La ceremonia de premiación concluyó con fuegos artificiales.
The award ceremony ended with fireworks.
The 'Y' Spelling Change
For this verb, you need to swap the 'i' for a 'y' whenever the 'i' would be between two other vowels. This keeps the sound clear. For example, say 'él concluye' instead of 'concluie'.
Formal Tone
While 'terminar' is used for everyday tasks like finishing a sandwich, 'concluir' sounds a bit more polished and is often used for events, meetings, or academic work.
Missing the 'Y'
Mistake: “Él conclue el trabajo.”
Correction: Él concluye el trabajo. Remember that 'ir' verbs ending in a vowel (like u-ir) almost always add a 'y' in the present tense.
finalizar
fee-nah-lee-sahrfinaliˈsaɾ
Examples
La película finaliza a las nueve de la noche.
The movie ends at nine p.m.
Necesito finalizar este informe antes de la reunión.
I need to finish this report before the meeting.
El árbitro decidió finalizar el partido por la lluvia.
The referee decided to end the match because of the rain.
The Z to C Spelling Swap
In Spanish, 'z' usually changes to 'c' when followed by an 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form when talking about the past (finalicé) and in commands or wishes (que finalice).
Finalizar vs. Terminar
While both mean 'to finish,' finalizar is more formal. Use 'terminar' for everyday things like a meal, and 'finalizar' for official events or work tasks.
The 'Yo' Form Past Spelling
Mistake: “Yo finalizé la tarea.”
Correction: Yo finalicé la tarea. (Remember that 'z' always becomes 'c' before an 'e' in Spanish spelling!)
Using it for People
Mistake: “Mi abuelo finalizó ayer.”
Correction: Mi abuelo murió/falleció ayer. (Finalizar is for events and tasks, not for people passing away.)
Acabar vs. Terminar
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.