01
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
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Meanings
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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
beenden vs beginnen
to begin
'beginnen' and 'beenden' are clear opposites. 'beginnen' is used for the start of an action, process, or state. 'beenden' is used when you bring something to an end or stop doing something. The words can be confused because they often occur with the same objects: you can begin a conversation, a project, or a piece of work and later end it. The difference is simple: 'beginnen' is the start, 'beenden' is the finish.
beenden
Sie hat den Bericht beendet, bevor sie nach Hause gegangen ist.
She finished the report before going home.
beginnen
Heute beginnt sie mit der Arbeit an ihrem Bericht.
Today she is beginning work on her report.
In real life
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