acabándose
/akabandose/from spelling rules
The English phrase "running out" can be expressed in Spanish as acabándose.
acabándose is used to describe a situation where a supply is being depleted and there is very little of something left. In a complete sentence, you will often see this expressed as se está acabando to mean "it is running out". To express the specific idea that "we are running out of" something, Spanish speakers often use the structure se nos acaba [noun], which literally translates to "it finishes itself to us".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, particularly in Mexico and some Central American countries, the verb acabar is frequently used to express the concept of "running out".
How does it change in a sentence?
To form a complete sentence meaning "it is running out", you typically use the reflexive form combined with the verb estar, such as se está acabando.
How do you pronounce it?
/akabandose/
Did you know?
- In various Spanish dialects, acabar can be used as a slang term to mean 'to kill' or 'to finish someone off'.
- While acabar means 'running out' or 'finishing' in this context, in Spain it is also commonly used as a marker for the immediate past, where acabo de means 'I have just'.
- The structure se nos acaba treats the supply as the active agent that is 'finishing itself' rather than the person doing the using.
Examples in context
- Estoy quedándome sin tiempo para terminar el proyecto.I am running out of time to finish the project.
- Se me está acabando la paciencia con esta situación.My patience is running out with this situation.
- Me estoy quedando sin dinero para ir de vacaciones.I am running out of money to go on vacation.
- Se me está terminando la batería del teléfono.The phone battery is running out on me.
- Me estoy acabando los recursos del proyecto.I am running out of project resources.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are looking in the refrigerator.
- ElenaJavier, la leche se está acabándose.Javier, the milk is running out.
- JavierNo me había dado cuenta.I hadn't noticed.
- Elena¿Puedes comprar más hoy?Can you buy more today?
- JavierSí, iré al supermercado ahora.Yes, I'll go to the supermarket now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
