vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Cumpliendo" is a form of "cumplir", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to achieve". "Acabando" is a form of "acabar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to finish". Learn more about the difference between "cumpliendo" and "acabando" below.
cumplir(
koom
-
pleer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to achieve
Jorge cumplió su sueño de convertirse en médico.Jorge achieved his dream of becoming a doctor.
Hay que tener fuerza de voluntad para cumplir tus metas.You need willpower to achieve your goals.
b. to carry out
Los subordinados deben cumplir las órdenes de sus superiores.Subordinates should carry out their superiors' orders.
c. to keep
No cumpliste tu promesa de quererme para siempre.You didn't keep your promise of loving me forever.
e. to observe
Los alumnos tienen que cumplir las normas del colegio.Students must observe the rules of the school.
f. to fulfill (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El presidente cumplió su promesa de postularse para la reelección.The president fulfilled his promise to run for reelection.
g. to fulfil (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Como directivo, tienes que cumplir tus obligaciones de manera profesional.As a manager, you have to fulfil your obligations with professionalism.
2. (to reach)
a. to serve
Ha cumplido diez años de condena por el asesinato.He has served ten years for the murder.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to do one's duty
Deberíamos cumplir aunque no será nada fácil.We should do our duty though it won't be very easy.
a. to feel obliged
Nos invitaron solo por cumplir.They invited us only because they felt obliged to do so.
cumplirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
6. (to happen)
a. to come true
Cuando me tocó la lotería, se cumplieron todos mis sueños.When I won the lottery, all my dreams came true.
b. to be implemented
El plan se cumplirá según lo previsto.The plan will be implemented as scheduled.
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.
