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"Rematar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to finish off", and "adjudicar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to award". Learn more about the difference between "rematar" and "adjudicar" below.
rematar(
rreh
-
mah
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tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to end)
a. to finish off
No hay nada mejor que una cena romántica para rematar el día.There's nothing better than a romantic dinner to finish off the day.
b. to conclude
Besé a María para rematar aquella fantástica noche.I kissed Maria to conclude that wonderful night.
c. to close
El dueño remató el proyecto aquella misma mañana.The architect closed the project that very morning.
d. to round off
Remataron la fiesta del aniversario con un pastel de chocolate.They rounded off the anniversary party with a chocolate cake.
e. to cap off
Ella remató sus 18 años de ser estudiante con una fiesta de graduación y un viaje a México.She capped off 18 years of being a student with a graduation party and a trip to Mexico.
2. (to kill)
a. to finish off
El ciervo estaba herido y el cazador lo remató con su rifle.The deer was injured and the hunter finished him off with his rifle.
4. (sewing)
a. to finish off
Para poder ponerme el pantalón tengo que rematar el bajo.To be able to wear the pants I have to finish off the hem.
5. (sports)
6. (to clear out) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to sell off
Conseguí rematar las prendas que ya no quería en un mercadillo.I managed to sell off the clothes I didn't want anymore at a street market.
7. (to sell at an auction) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to auction off
Carmen remató las pertenencias de su abuela después de que se murió.Carmen auctioned off her grandmother's belongings after she died.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
8. (to finish)
a. to end
La fiesta de cumpleaños de Juan remató con una gran tarta.Juan's birthday party ended with a big cake.
9. (clothing)
a. to end in
El vestido que me compré en la tienda hippy remata en flecos.The dress I bought at the hippy store ends in tassels.
adjudicar(
ahd
-
hoo
-
dee
-
kahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to assign)
a. to award
El jurado adjudicó el premio a la pareja de bailarines que actuó en primer lugar.The panel of judges awarded the prize to the pair of dancers that performed first.
b. to allocate
El estado adjudica las plazas universitarias en función de la nota obtenida en este examen.The state allocates university places according to the mark obtained on this exam.
c. to allot
En la tienda, se ha adjudicado un color a cada talla, de modo que a los clientes les resulta más fácil identificarlas.In the store, each size has been alloted a color; that way it's easier for customers to identify them.
2. (to auction)
a. to sell
El cuadro ha sido adjudicado por $5,000 al caballero sentado al fondo de la sala.The painting has been sold for $5,000 to the gentleman sitting at the back of the room.
adjudicarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to claim
Mi papá siempre se adjudica el sillón más cómodo.My dad always claims the most comfortable chair.
4. (to assume)
a. to take
No intentes adjudicarte un logro que sabes que no es tuyo.Don't take the credit for an achievement that you know isn't yours.
b. to claim
Se adjudicó todo el mérito por un descubrimiento que había sido fruto del trabajo en equipo.She claimed all the credit for a discovery that had been the result of teamwork.
5. (to achieve)
a. to win
Hoy el tenista se adjudicó la victoria que le permitirá disputar la final.Today the tennis player won the victory that will allow him to play in the final.
