vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Caducar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to expire", and "terminar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to end". Learn more about the difference between "caducar" and "terminar" below.
caducar(
kah
-
doo
-
kahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to expire
Mi carnet de conducir caducó y todavía no lo renové.My driver's license expired and I haven't renewed it yet.
b. to be no longer valid
Los derechos de autor del libro caducarán en 75 años.The book's copyright will no longer be valid in 75 years.
c. to lapse
Dejé caducar mi suscripción a la revista académica y ya no recibo ediciones.I let my subscription to the academic journal lapse and I no longer receive issues.
2. (to go bad)
a. to be past its use-by date
La leche caducó. ¡No la bebas!The milk is past its use-by date. Don't drink it!
b. to go past its sell-by date
Los cereales habían caducado, pero los comí igual porque me moría de hambre.The cereal had gone past its sell-by date, but I ate it anyway because I was starving.
c. to expire (medication)
Este remedio contra el resfrío caducó hace tres meses, así que no te va a hacer efecto.This flu medication expired three months ago, so it won't have any effect on you.
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.
