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"Acabar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to finish", and "acabarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to run out". Learn more about the difference between "acabar" and "acabarse" below.
acabar(
ah
-
kah
-
bahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to finish
Yo acabo mis clases en junio.I finish my classes in June.
a. to finish
¿Quién acabó la leche?Who finished the milk?
b. to use up
Deberíamos acabar estas sobras en vez de cocinar hoy.We should use up these leftovers rather than cook today.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to end
Te llamaré después de que acabe la película.I'll call you after the movie ends.
b. to be over
Ya descansaremos cuando acabe el proyecto.We can rest when the project is over.
c. to be done
Acabaremos cuando acabemos.We'll be done when we're done.
4.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to achieve sexual climax)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. come
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
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.).
pronominal verb
a. to run out
Se le acabaron las barras de pan a la panadería.The bakery's run out of baguettes.
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.
b. to finish
La película se acabó temprano.The movie finished early.
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.
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.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
acabarse(
ah
-
kah
-
bahr
-
seh
)
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to run out
Se le acabaron las barras de pan a la panadería.The bakery's run out of baguettes.
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.
b. to finish
La película se acabó temprano.The movie finished early.
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.
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.
acabar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to finish
Yo acabo mis clases en junio.I finish my classes in June.
a. to finish
¿Quién acabó la leche?Who finished the milk?
b. to use up
Deberíamos acabar estas sobras en vez de cocinar hoy.We should use up these leftovers rather than cook today.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to end
Te llamaré después de que acabe la película.I'll call you after the movie ends.
b. to be over
Ya descansaremos cuando acabe el proyecto.We can rest when the project is over.
c. to be done
Acabaremos cuando acabemos.We'll be done when we're done.
8.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(to achieve sexual climax)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. come
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Si tienes problemas para acabar, deberías consultar el médico.If you have problems coming, you should see a doctor.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.