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"Alcanzar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to reach", and "acabarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to run out". Learn more about the difference between "alcanzar" and "acabarse" below.
alcanzar(
ahl
-
kahn
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to get to)
c. to catch up with
Los alcancé justo antes de que se fueran.I caught up with them just before they left.
2. (to rise to)
a. to reach
La temperatura alcanzó los 42ºC el fin de semana.The temperature reached 42ºC over the weekend.
a. to achieve
No alcanzaron la meta que se habían propuesto.They didn't achieve the goal they had set themselves.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be enough
No alcanzan los fondos para seguir apoyando el proyecto.There isn't enough funding to continue supporting the project.
acabarse(
ah
-
kah
-
bahr
-
seh
)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.
4. (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.
acabar
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.).
8. (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.
