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How to Say "we end" in Spanish

English → Spanish

acabamos

ah-kah-BAH-mos/a.kaˈβa.mos/

Verb (Conjugated Form)A1General
Use 'acabamos' when 'we end' refers to bringing a process, activity, or situation to its conclusion, often with a sense of completion or finality.
Two figures smiling as they place the final, completed piece into a large, colorful jigsaw puzzle, signaling the end of the task.

Examples

Siempre acabamos el trabajo antes de la hora límite.

We always finish the work before the deadline.

Ayer acabamos de pintar la sala a medianoche.

Yesterday we finished painting the living room at midnight.

Si no acabamos ahora, tendremos que volver mañana.

If we don't finish now, we will have to come back tomorrow.

Present vs. Past Ambiguity

The 'nosotros' form, 'acabamos,' is exactly the same in both the present tense ('we finish') and the simple past tense (preterite, 'we finished'). You must use context (like time markers: 'ayer', 'siempre') to know which one is being used.

Confusing Tenses

Mistake: “Using 'acabamos' without a time indicator and being misunderstood.”

Correction: Always try to include a word like 'hoy' (today) or 'anoche' (last night) if the context isn't perfectly clear, especially when speaking.

terminamos

tehr-mee-NAH-mos/teɾmiˈnamos/

VerbA1General
Use 'terminamos' when 'we end' refers to the act of completing a task, event, or period of time, often with a focus on reaching a specific endpoint.
Two simplified colorful storybook figures, representing 'we', smiling and stepping simultaneously over a clear finish line marked by a checkered tape, symbolizing the completion of a task.

Examples

Siempre terminamos la reunión antes de las tres.

We always finish the meeting before three.

¿Ya terminamos el proyecto? ¡Sí!

Did we already finish the project? Yes! (Past)

Ahora mismo terminamos de comer y vamos al cine.

We are finishing eating right now and then we are going to the movies. (Present/Current action)

The Dual Tense Form

The word 'terminamos' is unique because it is the 'we' form for both the Present tense ('we finish') and the Preterite simple past tense ('we finished').

Identifying the Tense

You must use context clues like time markers (e.g., 'ayer' [yesterday], 'siempre' [always]) to know if the speaker means the past or the present.

Confusing Past and Present

Mistake: “Using 'terminamos' in the past without a clear time marker, causing ambiguity.”

Correction: Always try to add a time word when referring to the past: 'Terminamos ayer' (We finished yesterday) is clearer than just 'Terminamos'.

Acabar vs. Terminar Nuances

Learners often confuse 'acabamos' and 'terminamos' because both mean 'we finish.' While interchangeable in many cases, remember that 'acabar' can carry a stronger sense of bringing something to a definitive close, while 'terminar' often focuses more on the simple completion of an action or event.

Related Translations

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