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"Acabar con" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to finish off", and "acabar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to finish". Learn more about the difference between "acabar con" and "acabar" below.
acabar con(
ah
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kah
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bahr
kohn
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to use up)
a. to finish off
Los niños acabaron con la torta de cumpleaños.The kids finished off the birthday cake.
a. to break up
Su novio acabó con ella por sus mentiras.Her boyfriend broke up with her because of her lies.
b. to put an end to
La policía intervino a tiempo para acabar con el peligro.The police intervened in time to put an end to the danger.
acabar(
ah
-
kah
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bahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (colloquial) (to achieve sexual climax) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. come (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Si tienes problemas para acabar, deberías consultar el médico.If you have problems coming, you should see a doctor.
acabarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to finish
Voy a acabarme el café y luego nos vamos.I'm going to finish my coffee and then we can go.
a. to end
Siguieron bailando aun después de que se acabara la música.They kept dancing even after the music ended.
c. to be over
Cuando se acabe todo esto, tendremos que darnos algún capricho.When all this is over, we'll have to treat ourselves to something.
d. to be done
Será un alivio cuando se acaben las obras.It will be a relief when the building work is done.
8. (to perish)
a. to die
Se acabó tres días después de haber sido herido en el campo de batalla.He died three days after being wounded on the battlefield.
