Acabar Vs. Terminar

Question

So both acabar and terminar mean to finish. So what's the difference between the two? What are examples when one should be used instead of the other?

Thanks!!!

Welcome to SpanishDict, Keith. On the Q&A page, there is a small box with a magnifying glass, under the green box that says, "Ask a question". You can type in words you are wondering about and get many answers. :) - rac1, Jun 4, 2017

Answer 1

Hello!

These 2 links from 2009 & 2010 might be the answer to your question.

• ¿terminar o acabar?
• Are acabar and terminar truly synonyms

Hope this helps.

Regards!

Muchas gracias!!! - keith7101, Jun 4, 2017

¡No hay de qué! - NKM1974, Jun 4, 2017

This thread, linked in both your answers, I think has the best answer: http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/110645/acabar-vs-terminar - bosquederoble, Jun 4, 2017

Answer 2

For me as Spanish, I think that both of them are the same. I use both of which equally.

Answer 3

Terminar is more used but acabar is okey. The only thing that I can see is that "acabar" could also have a taboo meaning at least in my region and some other areas. It's to reach sexual orgasm. It's definition 13 in the Real Academia dictionary. So sometimes you could use it in a get-together or party and depending on the context people could start to laugh.

Answer 4

Terminar is more used but acabar is okey. The only thing that I can see is that "acabar" could also have a taboo meaning at least in my region and some other areas. It's to reach sexual orgasm. It's definition 13 in the Real Academia dictionary. So sometimes you could use it in a get-together or party and depending on the context people could start to laugh.