se acabó el tiempo
/se akabo el tjempo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "time is up" is translated as se acabó el tiempo.
The phrase se acabó el tiempo is used to announce that the allotted period for a task or activity, such as a game, a deadline or a timed exam, has ended. You can also use El tiempo se agotó to mean "time has run out," which works in both formal and informal situations. If you want to express that "there is no more time," you can say Ya no hay tiempo.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "the time finished itself" or "the time ended."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb acabó, which is the third-person singular preterite form of acabar, signifying a completed action in the past.
Did you know?
- The word tiempo shares a common ancestor with the English words 'temperature' and 'tempo'. It stems from a root meaning 'to stretch', originally referring to a stretch or span of time.
- While tiempo means 'time', it is also the common Spanish word for 'weather'. Depending on the context, se acabó el tiempo could theoretically be interpreted as 'the weather has ended'.
- The phrase ¡Se acabó!, a shorter version of se acabó el tiempo, is often shouted to abruptly stop an argument or a fight, acting as a command for 'Enough already!'
Examples in context
- Se acabó el tiempo.Time is up.This example shows how to use se acabó el tiempo.Tatoeba #1400475 by marcelostockle, translation #31334 by CK
- Los exámenes han finalizado. Se terminó el tiempo.The exams have finished. Time is up.
- Le agradezco su participación. El tiempo ha concluido.I appreciate your participation. Time has ended.
- Lamentablemente, ya no hay tiempo para más preguntas.Unfortunately, there is no more time for further questions.
- ¡Chicos, se acabó el tiempo para jugar! Deben regresar a casa.Guys, time is up for playing! You need to go back home.
- Oh no, el tiempo se agotó y nadie resolvió el acertijo.Oh no, time has run out and nobody solved the riddle.
- Rápido, ¡se acabó el tiempo para el examen!Quick, time is up for the exam!
- No te preocupes, se acabó el tiempo del partido.Don't worry, the time for the match is up.
Example conversation
In a classroom during a timed test.
- María¡Atención todos, se acabó el tiempo!Attention everyone, time is up!
- Mateo¡No, María! ¡Todavía me falta una pregunta!No, María! I still have one question left!
- MaríaLo siento, Mateo, pero debes entregar tu hoja.I'm sorry, Mateo, but you must hand in your sheet.
- MateoEstá bien, lo entregaré ahora.Okay, I will hand it in now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, se, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
