Spanish Conversation · Level 45
75 words
Spanish word
acabar
Pronunciation
IPA/akaˈβaɾ/
Meaning
- verbend
Example
La película acabó a las diez.
The movie ended at ten.
More examples
Anoche acabé el libro.
Last night I finished the book.
Core concept
An action reaching its end.
Common phrases
acabar algo
finish something
acabar con algo
do away with something
acabar por + infinitivo
end up doing
Similar words
terminar: Finish an ongoing activity or task.
parar: Stop movement or an action in motion.
interrumpir: Halt an activity partway, interrupting its progress.
dejar: Stop continuing an action or habit.
Definition in Spanish
Indica que algo llega a su fin o que alguien pone fin a ello; puede usarse intransitivo o transitivo y formar perífrasis como "acabar de + infinitivo" para una acción recién terminada.
Word origin
From medieval Romance *accappāre meaning 'to bring to an end', Spanish acabar developed the sense of finishing or bringing something to a close.
Usage tips
- Acabar de + infinitive marks a just-completed action (often where English uses 'have just'), while acabar con + noun means to eliminate or finish off that thing.