beenden
to end
To bring an action, process, or state to a conclusion; to stop doing something.
EXAMPLE
Nach zwei Stunden hat der Lehrer den Unterricht beendet.
After two hours, the teacher ended the lesson.
beenden
to end
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
beenden
to end / terminate
To dissolve or terminate a formal or contractual relationship.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat beschlossen, ihre Mitgliedschaft im Fitnessstudio zu beenden.
She decided to end her gym membership.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Beenden' (to end) is an inseparable verb made up of the prefix 'be-' and the verb 'enden' (to end). While 'enden' describes something stopping on its own, 'beenden' always needs a person or thing that actively brings something to an end.
EXAMPLE
Der Autor hat das Buch endlich beendet.
The author finally finished the book.
Sentence structure with accusative
The verb 'beenden' (to end) is transitive and always requires an accusative object. You always end 'etwas' (something).
EXAMPLE
Wir sollten diese Diskussion jetzt beenden.
We should end this discussion now.
Typical collocations
When talking about completing an activity, 'beenden' (to end) is often used with these nouns: 'ein Gespräch beenden' (to end a conversation), 'die Schule beenden' (to finish school), 'ein Projekt beenden' (to finish a project), or 'eine Mahlzeit beenden' (to finish a meal).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat das Telefonat schnell beendet, weil sie gehen musste.
She quickly ended the phone call because she had to leave.
Typical collocations
In the formal context of dissolving contracts or relationships, the following combinations are common: 'eine Beziehung beenden' (to end a relationship), 'einen Vertrag beenden' (to terminate a contract), 'die Zusammenarbeit beenden' (to end the cooperation), or 'eine Mitgliedschaft beenden' (to end a membership).
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen musste die Zusammenarbeit mit dem Lieferanten beenden.
The company had to end its cooperation with the supplier.
Compare with
abschließeneinstellenendenaufhörenerledigenaufhebenstoppenauflösenabbrechenvollendenkündigenauflegenschließenfertigstellenkillenabtreiben
beenden vs abschließen
to lock / to complete
“Abschließen” and “beenden” can both indicate that an activity or project comes to an end. “Abschließen” usually emphasizes a planned or successful completion, while “beenden” initially only states that something has ended. Use “abschließen” when the result is considered complete, and “beenden” when only the stopping matters.
beenden
Nach vielen Monaten musste das Team das Projekt wegen Geldmangels beenden.
After many months, the team had to end the project because of a lack of funding.
abschließen
Nach vielen Monaten konnte das Team das Projekt erfolgreich abschließen.
After many months, the team was able to successfully complete the project.
In real life
Loading video examples...