acabo
/a-KA-bo/
I finish
I finish (acabo) my work.
acabo(Verb)
I finish
?completing a task or activity
I complete
?finishing something entirely
,I use up
?consuming the last of something
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
This is the 'I' form
Acabo is the form of the verb acabar that you use when you're talking about yourself in the present tense. Think of it as meaning 'I finish'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
acabar vs. terminar
Mistake: "Sometimes learners aren't sure which one to use."
Correction: In most everyday situations, `acabar` and `terminar` mean the same thing and you can use either one. `Acabo el libro` and `Termino el libro` both mean 'I finish the book'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Finishing Off
You can use acabar or acabarse to talk about using the very last of something, like food or drink. 'Me acabo la leche' means 'I'm finishing off the milk'.
I have just (acabo de) arrived.
acabo(Verb (in a special phrase))
I have just
?used in the phrase 'acabo de' + verb
I just
?referring to the immediate past
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'I Just Did Something' Formula
This is a super useful shortcut! Use acabo de + the basic ar/er/ir form of another verb to say you did something just a moment ago. For example, acabo de ver means 'I just saw'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't Translate 'Just' Directly
Mistake: "Using a word like 'justo' for recent actions: 'Yo justo comí.'"
Correction: Always use the special `acabar de` structure for this. The right way is: `Acabo de comer.`
⭐ Usage Tips
Works in the Past, Too!
You can use this same idea to talk about something that had 'just happened' in a past story. 'Acababa de salir cuando sonó el teléfono' means 'I had just left when the phone rang'.
I end up (acabo) in an unexpected place.
acabo(Verb)
I end up
?describing a final, often unplanned, result
I wind up
?describing a final state or location
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing the Final Outcome
Use acabo to talk about the final result of a situation, especially if it was unexpected. It's often followed by a place (acabo en Madrid) or by another action (acabo trabajando).
⭐ Usage Tips
A Hint of Resignation
This use of acabo can sometimes carry a feeling of fate or resignation. 'Después de todo, acabo solo' ('After everything, I end up alone') sounds more dramatic than just 'estoy solo' ('I am alone').
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: acabo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence means 'I just saw a movie'?
📚 More Resources
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!