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"Acabar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to finish", and "finalizar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to finish". Learn more about the difference between "acabar" and "finalizar" below.
acabar(
ah
-
kah
-
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.
finalizar(
fee
-
nah
-
lee
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to finish
Tardé casi dos años en finalizar mi tesis.It took me almost two years to finish my thesis.
b. to complete
El atleta finalizó el maratón en menos de dos horas y cinco minutos.The athlete completed the marathon in under two hours and five minutes.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. to come to an end
Las negociaciones finalizaron sin que se llegara a un acuerdo.Negotiations came to an end without an agreement.
c. to finish
Los obreros terminarán de construir la casa antes de que finalice el año.The construction workers will build the house before the year finishes.
