acabo
“acabo” means “I finish” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
I finish
Also: I complete, I use up
📝 In Action
Normalmente, acabo mi trabajo a las cinco.
A2Normally, I finish my work at five.
Si no paras, ¡me acabo la paciencia!
B1If you don't stop, I'm going to run out of patience!
Siempre me acabo el café antes de salir.
B1I always finish off the coffee before leaving.
I have just
Also: I just
📝 In Action
Acabo de llegar a casa.
A2I have just arrived home.
Acabo de comer, así que no tengo hambre.
A2I just ate, so I'm not hungry.
¿Ese correo? Sí, acabo de leerlo.
B1That email? Yes, I just read it.
I end up
Also: I wind up
📝 In Action
Si no estudio, acabo suspendiendo el examen.
B1If I don't study, I end up failing the exam.
Después de caminar por horas, acabo en una plaza que no conozco.
B1After walking for hours, I end up in a plaza I don't know.
Siempre que discutimos, acabo pidiendo perdón yo.
B2Whenever we argue, I always end up being the one to apologize.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "acabo" in Spanish:
completed→ended→ended up→finished→i finish→i just→it's over→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: acabo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence means 'I just saw a movie'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the informal Latin `*accapāre`, which is built from `ad-` (meaning 'to' or 'towards') and `caput` (meaning 'head'). The original idea was 'to bring something to a head,' which evolved into its modern meaning of 'to bring to an end' or 'to finish'.
First recorded: Around the 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'Acabo de comer' and 'Termino de comer'?
Great question! 'Acabo de comer' specifically means 'I have *just* finished eating,' referring to something that happened moments ago. 'Termino de comer' usually means 'I am finishing eating' or 'I finish eating (at a certain time),' referring to the act of completing the meal, but not necessarily in the immediate past.
Can I just say 'Yo justo terminé' to mean 'I just finished'?
While people might understand you, it sounds very unnatural in Spanish. The phrase `acabar de + [verb]` is the standard and much more common way to express that you did something very recently. Stick with `Acabo de terminar` and you'll sound like a native speaker!