Can you explain when you use “to end” and “to finish” in English? If so, you can apply the idea to the Spanish verbs “acabar” and “terminar”. 

This week’s Spanish theory episode is dedicated to the common spanish verb “acabar”.

In many of the examples in today’s podcast the Spanish verb “terminar” and “acabar” are interchangeable. But, just like in English, there are a few situations when you can only use one or the other.

In today’s podcast you will find out how to use ‘acabar’ in a conversation and some of it’s important uses with Spanish prepositions. If you have any questions, you can leave them below.

If you want to be conversational in Spanish, check out The Real Fast Spanish School. In the school,  you can access all of the training at Real Fast Spanish designed to help you reach a conversation level of Spanish as effectively as possible.

Examples from today’s podcast:

I finish work at 5 – Termino mi trabajo a las 5.

I finish work at 5 – Acabo mi trabajo a las 5.

I don’t like how the movie ends – No me gusta cómo acaba la película.

Sofia and I are ended – Sofia y yo hemos acabado.

The word ‘university’ ends in the letter D – La palabra ‘universidad’ acaba en la letra D.

The dinner ended in drinks until 3 am – La cena acabó en copas hasta las 3 de la madrugada.

My trip to Europe ended in Paris – Mi viaje a Europa acabó en París.

I just finished my homework – acabo de terminar mis deberes.

She just called the doctor – Ella acaba de llamar al médico.

I just do not understand – No acabo de entenderlo.

Guys just don’t understand women – Los chicos no acaban de entender las mujeres.

He ended up working at McDonalds – Él acabó trabajando en McDonalds.

After much sacrifice and dedication, he ended up being a very famous actor – Después de mucho sacrificio y dedicación, él acabó siendo actor muy famoso.

My boss ended the discussion by slamming a fist on the table – Mi jefe acabó con la discusión en un golpe en la mesa.

Police ended the drug problem in my neighborhood – la policía acabó con el problema de la droga en mi barrio.

Teacher comments ended my hopes of passing the exam – Los comentarios del profesor acabaron con mis esperanzas de aprobar el examen.

How else can you use the Spanish verb “acabar” in a conversation?

The post Tips 111: Common Spanish Verbs – 6 Uses for the Verb “Acabar” appeared first on Real Fast Spanish.