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"Acabar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to finish", and "poner fin a" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "put an end to". Learn more about the difference between "acabar" and "poner fin a" 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.
poner fin a(
poh
-
nehr
feen
ah
)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. (general)
a. put an end to
Cuando se volvió claro que el boxeador no podía seguir, el árbitro puso fin a la pelea.When it became clear that the boxer could not go on, the referee put an end to the fight.
b. put a stop to
Bueno, claramente no vamos a coincidir en esto, así que creo que es hora de ponerle fin a esta discusión e ir a buscar algo de comer.Well, we're clearly not going to agree on this, so I think it's time to put a stop to this argument and go find something to eat.
