Inklingo

How to Say "to end" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to end” is “acabar” — use 'acabar' when you are actively bringing a task or activity to its conclusion, often implying completion or finishing something you were working on..

English → Spanish

acabar

ah-kah-BAHR/a.kaˈβaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'acabar' when you are actively bringing a task or activity to its conclusion, often implying completion or finishing something you were working on.
A smiling bear cub completes a wooden block tower by placing the final block on top.

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-NAR//teɾ.miˈnaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'terminar' when an activity or event naturally comes to a close or when you have completed a required task.
A child placing the final piece into a colorful jigsaw puzzle, completing the picture.

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.

Acabar vs. Terminar

Learners often confuse 'acabar' and 'terminar' because they are so similar. Generally, 'acabar' emphasizes the action of finishing, while 'terminar' can refer to something simply coming to an end. However, for most everyday situations, either word will be understood.

Related Translations

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