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"Acabar con" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to finish off", and "terminar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to end". Learn more about the difference between "acabar con" and "terminar" below.
acabar con(
ah
-
kah
-
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.
terminar(
tehr
-
mee
-
nahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to break up with
Terminó con su novia porque necesitaba espacio.He broke up with his girlfriend because he needed space.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to be done with
¿A qué hora crees que terminarás la traducción?What time do you think you'll be done with the translation?
4. (to result)
a. to end up (used with "-ing")
¿Sabías que Sandy y Jake terminaron casándose?Did you know Sandy and Jake ended up getting married?
terminarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to run out
Espero que lleguemos a nuestro destino antes de que al coche se le termine la gasolina.I hope we get to where we're going before the car runs out of gas.
