En 15 segundos
- Used to signal that a group has finished an activity.
- Very common at restaurants to signal the waiter.
- Be careful: it also means 'we broke up' in relationships.
Significado
This phrase is the ultimate 'done' button. It means 'we're finished' or 'we're through,' whether you're finishing a meal, a project, or a romantic relationship.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6At a restaurant with friends
Acabamos, pode levar os pratos.
We're finished, you can take the plates.
Finishing a group project
Finalmente acabamos o relatório!
We finally finished the report!
Ending a relationship
Sinto muito, mas nós acabamos.
I'm sorry, but we are through.
Contexto cultural
The expression 'Acabar em pizza' is used when a serious situation (usually political) ends without any resolution or punishment. Portuguese people are generally more direct with 'Acabamos'. If a meeting is over, it is over, and there is less 'small talk' about the ending compared to Brazil. In Luanda, 'acabar' can sometimes be used to mean 'to run out of money' in very informal slang contexts. Similar to Portugal, the distinction between present and past (acabamos/acabámos) is strictly maintained in formal education and media.
The 'Just' Shortcut
Always use 'acabamos de' + infinitive to sound more like a native when talking about the immediate past. It's much more common than the simple past for things that happened 5 minutes ago.
Breakup Sensitivity
Be careful saying 'Nós acabamos' to a friend about their relationship. It's very definitive. If you're not sure, ask 'Vocês estão bem?' first.
En 15 segundos
- Used to signal that a group has finished an activity.
- Very common at restaurants to signal the waiter.
- Be careful: it also means 'we broke up' in relationships.
What It Means
Acabamos comes from the verb acabar. It means something has reached its natural end. It is punchy and final. You use it to signal a transition. It says the current activity is over. It is the verbal equivalent of closing a book.
How To Use It
Use it when you finish a task. Use it when you finish a meal. It usually stands alone as a complete sentence. You can add por hoje to mean 'we're done for today.' It is simple but carries weight. In a group, you are speaking for everyone. It is the collective 'mission accomplished.'
When To Use It
At a restaurant, tell the waiter acabamos. This signals they can take the plates. At work, tell your team acabamos after a long meeting. It brings a sense of relief. Use it when hanging out with friends. It helps decide the next move. It is great for ending a gym session too.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for things that are ongoing. If you just started, it makes no sense. Avoid using it if you are still hungry. The waiter will take your food away! Be careful in romantic settings. Saying acabamos without context means 'we are breaking up.' That is a very bad surprise for a date.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value the social end of things. Finishing a meal is a shared event. It is not just about the food. It is about the conversation ending too. The word feels satisfying to say. It has a hard 'c' sound that feels final. It reflects a culture that enjoys completing things together.
Common Variations
Já acabamos means 'we already finished.' It sounds a bit more impatient. Acabamos tudo means 'we finished everything.' This is great for big projects. Finalmente acabamos means 'we finally finished.' Use this after a very long day. It usually comes with a big sigh.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and safe for almost any situation. The only 'gotcha' is the double meaning of ending a relationship versus ending a task.
The 'Just' Shortcut
Always use 'acabamos de' + infinitive to sound more like a native when talking about the immediate past. It's much more common than the simple past for things that happened 5 minutes ago.
Breakup Sensitivity
Be careful saying 'Nós acabamos' to a friend about their relationship. It's very definitive. If you're not sure, ask 'Vocês estão bem?' first.
Pizza Politics
If you are in Brazil and someone says 'Vai acabar em pizza', they are being cynical about a situation where no one will be held responsible.
Ejemplos
6Acabamos, pode levar os pratos.
We're finished, you can take the plates.
A standard way to signal the server.
Finalmente acabamos o relatório!
We finally finished the report!
Shows relief after hard work.
Sinto muito, mas nós acabamos.
I'm sorry, but we are through.
Very heavy and final context.
Acabamos o treino! Vamos comer?
We finished the workout! Shall we eat?
Casual and motivating.
Acabamos a aula por hoje.
We are done with class for today.
Formal but common classroom closing.
Ufa, acabamos a limpeza!
Phew, we finished the cleaning!
The 'ufa' adds a sense of exhaustion.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form to say 'We just arrived'.
Nós ________ de chegar agora.
'Acabamos de' is the standard construction for 'just did'.
Which sentence correctly describes a breakup?
How do you say 'We broke up last week'?
In the context of a breakup, 'acabamos' is used intransitively or with a time marker.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a restaurant and the plate is empty.
Simple completion of the meal.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vocês já terminaram o projeto? B: Sim, ________ ontem.
The speaker is confirming the completion in the past.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosNós ________ de chegar agora.
'Acabamos de' is the standard construction for 'just did'.
How do you say 'We broke up last week'?
In the context of a breakup, 'acabamos' is used intransitively or with a time marker.
Situation: You are at a restaurant and the plate is empty.
Simple completion of the meal.
A: Vocês já terminaram o projeto? B: Sim, ________ ontem.
The speaker is confirming the completion in the past.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, they are mostly interchangeable. 'Acabamos' is slightly more common in daily speech, while 'terminamos' can feel a bit more formal.
You say 'Acabamos de terminar' or simply 'Acabamos agora'.
In Portugal, they use an accent (acabámos) for the past tense to distinguish it from the present (acabamos). In Brazil, the spelling is the same for both.
Yes, but you must use 'com': 'Acabamos com o leite' (We ran out of milk / We finished the milk).
Usually, yes. If you say 'Nós acabamos' without an object, people will assume you mean the relationship is over.
The opposite would be 'começamos' (we started) or 'iniciamos' (we initiated).
Yes, 'Acabamos de ver o filme' is perfect for when the credits roll.
No, as long as your tone is polite. Adding 'por favor' or 'obrigado' helps.
It means 'we ended up [doing something]'. It describes an eventual result after some time or hesitation.
Yes, very frequently to report that a task or meeting is complete.
Frases relacionadas
Acabou-se
specialized formIt's all over / No more
Acabamos por
builds onWe ended up...
Terminamos
synonymWe finished
Acabamos com
similarWe put an end to / We destroyed
