Inklingo
Dictionary

acabas

ah-CAH-bahsaˈkaβas

“acabas” means “you finish” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

you finishA1Verb

completing a task or action

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you have just (done something)A2Verb

expressing an action completed immediately before now

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you finish, you endAlso: you use up

VerbA1regular ar
A colorful illustration of a child smiling as they place the last piece into a completed jigsaw puzzle.
infinitiveacabar
gerundacabando
past Participleacabado

📝 In Action

¿A qué hora acabas tu clase de español hoy?

A1

What time do you finish your Spanish class today?

Si acabas con todo el pan, tenemos que ir a comprar más.

A2

If you finish all the bread, we have to go buy more.

Siempre acabas lo que empiezas, lo cual es admirable.

B1

You always finish what you start, which is admirable.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • acabar la carrera – to finish the race/degree
  • acabar el proyecto – to finish the project

Idioms & Expressions

  • acabar en nada – to come to nothing; to be pointless

you have just (done something)

VerbA2periphrasis component ar
A storybook illustration of a person holding a dripping watering can next to a garden bed that has just been watered.
infinitiveacabar de + [infinitive]
gerundacabando de...
past Participleacabado de...

📝 In Action

¿Acabas de despertarte? ¡Son las diez!

A2

Have you just woken up? It's ten o'clock!

No puedes comer el pastel, acabas de cenar.

A2

You can't eat the cake, you have just had dinner.

Llegamos tarde, porque acabas de perder el autobús.

B1

We're late because you just missed the bus.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • recién (recently)

Common Collocations

  • acabar de hablar – to have just spoken
  • acabar de llegar – to have just arrived

Indicative

Present

yoacabo
túacabas
él/ella/ustedacaba
nosotrosacabamos
vosotrosacabáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesacaban

Imperfect

yoacababa
túacababas
él/ella/ustedacababa
nosotrosacabábamos
vosotrosacababais
ellos/ellas/ustedesacababan

Preterite

yoacabé
túacabaste
él/ella/ustedacabó
nosotrosacabamos
vosotrosacabasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesacabaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yoacabe
túacabes
él/ella/ustedacabe
nosotrosacabemos
vosotrosacabéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesacaben

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoacabara
túacabaras
él/ella/ustedacabara
nosotrosacabáramos
vosotrosacabarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesacabaran
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "acabas" in Spanish:

you endyou finish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: acabas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'acabas' to express that an action happened moments ago?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
acabar(to finish) — Verb
acabado(finished product/finish (noun)) — Noun
acabamiento(conclusion/ending) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
hablasandas
📚 Etymology

The verb 'acabar' comes from the Latin phrase *ad caput* (to the head/to the end). Over time, this phrase evolved into the Spanish verb that means 'to reach the end' or 'to finish'.

First recorded: Mid-13th century (Old Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: acabarCatalan: acabar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'acabas' and 'terminas'?

Both mean 'you finish' and are often interchangeable. 'Terminas' (from 'terminar') might be slightly more formal in some regions, but for everyday use, you can use 'acabas' without worry.

How do I say 'I just finished' using this verb?

You would use the 'yo' form of the verb: 'Yo acabo de terminar' (I just finished).