Acabo de
/akabo de/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I just" can be translated into Spanish as Acabo de.
Acabo de is used to indicate that an action was completed a very short time ago.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "I finish of". The word acabo is the first-person singular present indicative of acabar (to finish).
Which one should you use?
While Acabo de expresses that something happened a moment ago, it is distinct from using the word solo (only/just) to indicate quantity or limitation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Recién is an informal way to express "I just" that is commonly used in Latin American Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must be followed directly by an infinitive verb to complete the expression Acabo de + [infinitive].
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, acabar can be a euphemism for reaching a sexual climax, making the phrase acabo de… potentially ambiguous if the following verb is missing or vague.
- The root of the verb in acabo de is connected to the Latin 'caput', meaning 'head'. This connects the concept of 'finishing' or 'reaching the end' to the idea of the 'head' or 'limit' of something.
- If you use the verb acabar without the preposition de, the meaning shifts from 'to just' to 'to end up'. For instance, acabó en la cárcel means 'he ended up in jail' rather than 'he just went to jail'.
Examples in context
- Me acabo de casar.I just got married.This example shows how to use Acabo de to say you just got married.Tatoeba #5327821 by baudelaire, translation #2362206 by CK
- Acabo de decir eso.I just said that.This example shows how to use Acabo de to say you just said something.Tatoeba #11894619 by JSKabylie15, translation #2372886 by CK
- Acabo de oír de Tom.I just heard from Tom.This example shows how to use Acabo de to say you just heard from someone.Tatoeba #2365602 by marcelostockle, translation #2362254 by CK
- Acabo de llegar.I just arrived.
- Acabo de enviar el correo electrónico.I just sent the email.
- Hace poco que he terminado el informe.I just finished the report.
- Hace poco que ha empezado a llover.It just started raining.
- Acabo de ver una película increíble.I just watched an amazing movie.
- Acabo de llegar a casa.I just got home.
- Recién comí un delicioso helado.I just ate a delicious ice cream.
- Recién hablé con María.I just spoke with María.
- Apenas salí de la oficina.I just left the office.
- Apenas empecé a estudiar.I just started studying.
- Recién me levanté.I just woke up.
- Recién me bañé.I just took a shower.
- 178 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Daniel are talking on the phone.
- SofíaHola Daniel, ¿estás libre?Hi Daniel, are you free?
- DanielNo, acabo de entrar a una reunión.No, I just entered a meeting.
- SofíaEntiendo, te llamo más tarde.I understand, I'll call you later.
- DanielEstá bien, Sofía. Adiós.Okay, Sofia. Goodbye.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acabo, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
