acabado in 30 Seconds
- Acabado is primarily used to indicate that a task is finished or a physical resource like food or money has completely run out.
- When describing people, it means looking extremely tired, haggard, or significantly older due to stress, illness, or hard work.
- It is an adjective that must agree in gender (acabado/acabada) and number (acabados/acabadas) with the noun it modifies in the sentence.
- While similar to 'terminado', it often carries a stronger sense of being 'used up' or 'worn out' rather than just reaching an end.
The Portuguese word acabado is a versatile adjective derived from the verb acabar (to finish). At its core, it describes something that has reached its conclusion or a state of being entirely used up. However, its semantic range extends far beyond simple completion, touching upon physical exhaustion, structural decay, and even emotional depletion. Understanding 'acabado' requires a sensitivity to context, as it can describe a delicious cake that has been eaten, a project that is finally submitted, or a person who looks significantly older and more tired than their years would suggest.
- Literal Completion
- Refers to tasks, objects, or resources that are no longer available or in progress. For example, 'O café está acabado' (The coffee is finished/gone).
- Physical State of Objects
- Describes things that are worn out, dilapidated, or at the end of their useful life. A house that is 'acabada' is likely falling apart.
- Human Condition
- When applied to people, it often suggests a look of extreme fatigue, illness, or the visible toll of a hard life. It is more intense than just 'tired'.
Depois de trabalhar doze horas seguidas, ele parecia completamente acabado.
Infelizmente, o estoque de ingressos está acabado.
Este prédio está muito acabado; precisa de uma reforma urgente.
O trabalho está finalmente acabado.
Ela sentia-se acabada após a longa maratona.
- Synonym: Concluído
- More formal, used for projects and official tasks.
- Synonym: Exausto
- Focuses purely on the high level of fatigue in living beings.
- Synonym: Gasto
- Focuses on the wear and tear of physical objects like clothes or tires.
Using acabado correctly involves understanding its placement and the verbs it typically accompanies. Most frequently, it is used with the verb estar to describe a temporary state or the result of a process. However, its usage varies significantly depending on whether you are talking about a task, a resource, or a person's appearance.
1. Describing Tasks and Processes
When a job is done, you use 'acabado'. It implies that the final touches have been applied. In professional settings, 'concluído' might be preferred for reports, but 'acabado' is perfectly natural for daily tasks.
- O relatório está acabado. (The report is finished.)
- A pintura da casa está acabada. (The painting of the house is finished.)
2. Describing Depleted Resources
This is a very common use in households. If you run out of milk, sugar, or patience, 'acabado' is your go-to word. It signals that something that was once there is now gone.
- O leite está acabado, preciso ir ao mercado. (The milk is finished/gone, I need to go to the market.)
- O dinheiro do mês já está acabado. (The month's money is already used up.)
3. Describing People (Physical/Emotional)
Be careful here! Telling someone they look 'acabado' is often an observation that they look very tired, old, or unhealthy. It is usually not a compliment unless you are empathizing with someone after a hard workout.
- Depois da gripe, ele ficou com um ar acabado. (After the flu, he looked worn out.)
- Estou acabada de tanto estudar. (I am exhausted from studying so much.)
4. Agreement Rules
Always match the ending to the subject:
| Gender/Number | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masc. Sing. | Acabado | O livro está acabado. |
| Fem. Sing. | Acabada | A comida está acabada. |
| Masc. Plur. | Acabados | Os dias de folga estão acabados. |
| Fem. Plur. | Acabadas | As férias estão acabadas. |
You will encounter acabado in a variety of social and professional settings. Its frequency in daily conversation makes it a staple for any learner. Here are the most common environments where you'll hear it:
In the Kitchen and at the Table
This is perhaps the most frequent context. Family members will use it to indicate that a dish is empty or a supply has run out. 'Acabou' (the verb) is often used interchangeably with 'está acabado' (the state).
At the Workplace
Colleagues use it to signal the completion of tasks. It's a word of relief. When a long meeting ends or a project is finally 'off the desk', you'll hear 'Finalmente acabado!'.
In Construction and DIY
When discussing the 'finishing' of a house (the paint, the tiles, the details), the word 'acabamento' is used, but the state of the house being ready is 'acabada'. Conversely, a house that is 'acabada' in a negative sense means it is in ruins.
In Health and Fitness
After a session at the gym or a long day of physical labor, people will describe themselves as 'acabados'. It conveys a level of fatigue where one can barely move.
In Literature and Media
Authors use 'acabado' to describe tragic characters or decaying settings. It adds a layer of pathos, suggesting that the best days are in the past. A 'homem acabado' is a man broken by life's hardships.
Even though 'acabado' is a relatively simple A2-level word, there are several pitfalls that learners should avoid to sound more natural and avoid misunderstandings.
1. Confusing 'Acabado' (Adjective) with 'Acabar de' (Verb Construction)
A very common mistake is confusing the adjective with the idiomatic verbal structure acabar de + infinitive (to have just done something). While they share the same root, they function differently.
- Wrong: Eu estou acabado de comer. (Intending to say 'I just ate')
- Right: Eu acabei de comer. (I just ate.)
- Right: O prato está acabado. (The dish is finished/empty.)
2. Gender and Number Disagreement
Because 'acabado' looks like a verb (the past participle), English speakers often forget to change the ending. Remember: if the noun is feminine or plural, the adjective must follow.
- Wrong: As tarefas estão acabado.
- Right: As tarefas estão acabadas.
3. Overusing it for 'Finished'
While 'acabado' is common, using it for everything can sound repetitive. For formal documents or high-level academic work, use 'concluído' or 'finalizado'. For movies or books, 'fim' or 'terminado' might be more appropriate.
4. Misinterpreting the 'Worn Out' Meaning
If you tell a friend 'Você está acabado!', you might offend them. It implies they look terrible/exhausted. If you just want to say they look tired, 'cansado' is safer. Use 'acabado' for people only when the fatigue is extreme or visible.
To truly master Portuguese, you need to know when to use 'acabado' and when to reach for a synonym that might fit the context better. Here are the primary alternatives:
- Terminado
- Very similar to 'acabado', but focuses more on the end of a time period or a specific sequence. 'O jogo está terminado' (The game is finished).
- Concluído
- The professional choice. Use this for projects, degrees, and formal agreements. It implies a successful completion of all requirements.
- Exausto / Esgotado
- When 'acabado' refers to a person's energy, these are more precise. 'Esgotado' can also refer to tickets being sold out (bilhetes esgotados).
- Gasto / Velho
- When 'acabado' refers to an object being in bad condition, 'gasto' (worn) or 'velho' (old) might be more specific. 'Sapatos gastos' (worn-out shoes).
- Findo
- A literary or poetic term for 'finished' or 'ended'. You might see this in older texts or formal legal documents regarding the end of a period.
Choosing the right word depends on the 'flavor' of completion you want to convey. 'Acabado' is the most 'physical' and 'final' of the bunch, often implying that nothing remains or the state is irreversible.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Past Participle as Adjective
Gender and Number Agreement
Stative Verbs (Estar/Parecer)
Adverbial Modification of Adjectives
Passive Voice Construction
Examples by Level
O leite está acabado.
The milk is finished.
Masc. sing. agreement with 'leite'.
A lição está acabada.
The lesson is finished.
Fem. sing. agreement with 'lição'.
O café está acabado?
Is the coffee finished?
Question form using 'estar'.
Os biscoitos estão acabados.
The cookies are finished.
Masc. plur. agreement with 'biscoitos'.
A sopa está acabada.
The soup is finished.
Fem. sing. agreement with 'sopa'.
O jogo está acabado.
The game is finished.
Simple state description.
As maçãs estão acabadas.
The apples are finished/gone.
Fem. plur. agreement with 'maçãs'.
Meu tempo está acabado.
My time is finished.
Possessive 'meu' + 'acabado'.
Estou muito acabado hoje.
I am very worn out today.
Used to describe physical fatigue.
Este livro está quase acabado.
This book is almost finished.
Use of 'quase' (almost) as a modifier.
A pintura da parede está acabada.
The wall painting is finished.
Describing the result of a task.
Eles parecem acabados depois da viagem.
They look worn out after the trip.
Verb 'parecer' (to seem) + 'acabados'.
O estoque de camisas está acabado.
The shirt stock is finished.
Business context: out of stock.
Minha paciência está acabada.
My patience is finished/gone.
Abstract noun 'paciência' (feminine).
O projeto foi acabado ontem.
The project was finished yesterday.
Passive voice with 'ser'.
Estas flores estão acabadas por causa do sol.
These flowers are ruined because of the sun.
Describing physical decay/damage.
O filme é bom, mas o final parece um pouco acabado à pressa.
The movie is good, but the ending seems a bit rushed (finished in a hurry).
Adverbial phrase 'à pressa' modifying the state.
Sinto-me acabado emocionalmente.
I feel emotionally drained.
Reflexive verb 'sentir-se' + 'acabado'.
O prédio antigo está totalmente acabado.
The old building is totally ruined.
Intensifier 'totalmente'.
Depois de dez anos, o casamento deles estava acabado.
After ten years, their marriage was over.
Describing the end of a relationship.
O orçamento para a obra já está acabado.
The budget for the work is already exhausted.
Financial context.
Ele tem um ar acabado para a idade dele.
He looks old/worn out for his age.
Idiomatic 'ter um ar' (to have a look/vibe).
As reservas de petróleo estão quase acabadas.
The oil reserves are almost depleted.
Environmental/Economic context.
O seu tempo de glória está acabado.
His time of glory is over.
Metaphorical use.
O móvel tem um acabamento perfeito, mas o material está acabado.
The furniture has a perfect finish, but the material is worn out.
Contrast between 'acabamento' (noun) and 'acabado' (adj).
Ela ficou acabada com a notícia da demissão.
She was devastated by the news of the dismissal.
Describing a sudden emotional state.
O regime político parecia acabado antes da revolução.
The political regime seemed finished before the revolution.
Historical/Political context.
Aquelas terras estão acabadas devido à seca prolongada.
Those lands are ruined due to the prolonged drought.
Describing environmental degradation.
O autor entregou o manuscrito, finalmente acabado após anos.
The author delivered the manuscript, finally finished after years.
Appositive adjective use.
O motor do carro está completamente acabado; não tem conserto.
The car engine is completely shot; it can't be fixed.
Colloquial use for mechanical failure.
Vimos um império acabado transformar-se em várias nações.
We saw a fallen empire transform into several nations.
Describing a historical entity.
A discussão estava acabada, não havia mais nada a dizer.
The discussion was over; there was nothing more to say.
Indicating finality.
O semblante dele, outrora jovial, agora mostrava-se acabado pelas intempéries.
His countenance, once jovial, now appeared worn by the hardships.
Literary register.
Trata-se de um projeto acabado, sem margem para modificações ulteriores.
It is a finalized project, with no room for further modifications.
Formal/Technical context.
A cidade, outrora vibrante, jazia acabada sob o peso do abandono.
The city, once vibrant, lay ruined under the weight of neglect.
Poetic use of 'jazer' (to lie).
Sua reputação estava irremediavelmente acabada após o escândalo.
His reputation was irremediably ruined after the scandal.
Adverb 'irremediavelmente' (irremediably).
O ciclo de palestras deu-se por acabado após a intervenção do reitor.
The lecture series was considered finished after the rector's intervention.
Idiomatic 'dar-se por' (to consider oneself/be considered).
O tecido, de tão lavado, estava acabado e transparente.
The fabric, from so much washing, was worn out and transparent.
Describing physical wear.
Encontramos o arquivo acabado, com páginas roídas pelo tempo.
We found the archive ruined, with pages gnawed by time.
Describing the state of documents.
A paciência do povo, já de si escassa, viu-se acabada com o novo imposto.
The people's patience, already scarce, was exhausted with the new tax.
Complex sentence structure.
A obra de arte, em seu estado acabado, transcendia as expectativas do mestre.
The work of art, in its finished state, transcended the master's expectations.
Positive connotation of 'finished/perfected'.
Viam-se como almas acabadas, vagando por um mundo que já não reconheciam.
They saw themselves as spent souls, wandering through a world they no longer recognized.
Metaphorical/Existential use.
O sistema, embora pareça funcional, está intrinsecamente acabado.
The system, although it seems functional, is intrinsically finished/obsolete.
Describing systemic obsolescence.
Nada mais resta senão o silêncio de um diálogo acabado.
Nothing remains but the silence of a finished dialogue.
Abstract/Poetic finality.
O outono trazia consigo a sensação de um ano já acabado.
Autumn brought with it the feeling of a year already spent.
Temporal metaphor.
A estrutura social, acabada em seus alicerces, clamava por renovação.
The social structure, ruined in its foundations, cried out for renewal.
Sociopolitical metaphor.
Ele entregou-se a um fado acabado, aceitando o destino sem lutar.
He surrendered to a finished fate, accepting destiny without a fight.
Use with 'fado' (fate/destiny).
O brilho nos olhos dela estava acabado, restando apenas uma névoa de melancolia.
The spark in her eyes was gone, leaving only a mist of melancholy.
Describing loss of vitality.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
In Brazil, 'acabado' can also mean someone who is very ugly, though this is very slangy and mean.
In some regions, 'acabado' is used more for physical objects than people.
-
Don't use the adjective 'acabado' with 'estar' to mean 'just did something'. Use the verb 'acabar de'.
-
The adjective must agree with the feminine plural noun 'janelas'.
-
Use 'estar' for the state of being finished, not 'ser'.
-
While not grammatically wrong, 'acabado' already implies 'very cansado', so using both can be redundant unless for emphasis.
-
Using the verb and adjective together like this is redundant in Portuguese.
Tips
Agreement Check
Always look at the noun before choosing the ending. 'A comida' (fem) needs 'acabada'. 'O projeto' (masc) needs 'acabado'. Plurals like 'as aulas' need 'acabadas'.
Politeness Tip
If a friend looks tired, say 'Você parece cansado'. Only use 'Você está acabado' if you have a very close relationship and want to emphasize how hard they worked. It can sound like you're saying they look old.
Resource Management
Use 'acabado' when checking the fridge. It's the most natural way to tell your roommate or partner that you need to buy more of something. 'O leite acabou' or 'O leite está acabado'.
Vivid Descriptions
When writing a story, use 'acabado' to describe a haunted house or a character who has had a very difficult life. It adds more emotion than just saying 'velho' (old).
Emphasis
In speech, you can use 'completamente' before 'acabado' to really stress that something is 100% done or that you are 100% exhausted. 'Estou completamente acabado!'
Verb vs Adjective
If you hear 'acabou' (ends in -ou), it's the verb (it finished). If you hear 'acabado' (ends in -ado), it's the adjective (it is finished). They are used similarly but have different grammar.
Workplace Usage
When a boss asks if a task is done, 'Está acabado' is fine, but 'Está concluído' sounds slightly more professional and polished. Use 'acabado' with colleagues.
Relationship Endings
If someone says 'Está tudo acabado entre nós', they are ending a relationship. It is a very dramatic and final way to say 'It's over'.
Environmental Use
Use 'acabado' to talk about natural resources. 'A água do poço está acabada' (The well water is finished). It conveys a sense of urgency.
The 'Done' Connection
Think of the English word 'abandoned'. While not the same, an 'acabado' building often looks 'abandoned'. This visual link can help you remember the 'ruined' meaning.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Latin
Cultural Context
Commonly heard in 'tascas' (taverns) when a daily special is sold out.
Calling someone 'acabado' is direct and can be seen as rude in formal social circles.
Often used in lyrics to denote the end of love or hope.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"Você já está acabado com o trabalho de hoje?"
"O café já está acabado ou ainda tem um pouco?"
"Você acha que este prédio parece acabado?"
"Como você se sente? Parece um pouco acabado."
"O seu livro favorito já está acabado?"
Journal Prompts
Descreva um dia em que você se sentiu completamente acabado.
O que você faz quando percebe que o seu estoque de comida está acabado?
Escreva sobre um projeto que você finalmente viu acabado.
Como você descreveria um objeto antigo e acabado que você possui?
Reflita sobre uma fase da sua vida que está agora acabada.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but be careful. It means they look very tired or old. It is often used to describe oneself after hard work, but saying it to others can be offensive. It implies a visible state of exhaustion or decay.
They are very similar. 'Terminado' is more neutral and focuses on the end of a sequence. 'Acabado' often implies that something is 'used up' or physically worn out. For a project, both work, but 'acabado' sounds more final.
Mostly, yes. But it also means 'worn out' or 'ruined'. If a house is 'acabada', it doesn't mean it's completed; it means it's falling apart. Context is crucial for this distinction.
You should use the verb: 'Eu acabei de terminar' or simply 'Eu acabei'. Don't say 'Eu estou acabado' unless you mean 'I am exhausted'. The adjective describes a state, not the recent action.
It is neutral to informal. In a formal report, you would likely use 'concluído'. In daily conversation, 'acabado' is very common and perfectly acceptable for tasks and household items.
Yes, very commonly. It means the food is gone or the supply is empty. 'O bolo está acabado' means there is no more cake left to eat.
Yes, 'acabados' (masculine) and 'acabadas' (feminine). You must use these if the subject is plural, like 'Os dias de férias estão acabados'.
It means 'to consider oneself finished' or 'to give up'. It is a common idiomatic expression used when someone decides they cannot or will not continue a task or struggle.
In a very specific artistic context, a 'trabalho acabado' can mean a work that is highly polished and complete. However, this is less common than the 'worn out' or 'finished' meanings.
Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries with the same general meanings, though pronunciation and some slang nuances may vary slightly.
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Summary
Mastering 'acabado' allows you to express completion and exhaustion naturally. Use it for finished coffee, completed homework, or to describe feeling 'wiped out' after a long day, but be careful when using it to describe others' appearances.
- Acabado is primarily used to indicate that a task is finished or a physical resource like food or money has completely run out.
- When describing people, it means looking extremely tired, haggard, or significantly older due to stress, illness, or hard work.
- It is an adjective that must agree in gender (acabado/acabada) and number (acabados/acabadas) with the noun it modifies in the sentence.
- While similar to 'terminado', it often carries a stronger sense of being 'used up' or 'worn out' rather than just reaching an end.
Agreement Check
Always look at the noun before choosing the ending. 'A comida' (fem) needs 'acabada'. 'O projeto' (masc) needs 'acabado'. Plurals like 'as aulas' need 'acabadas'.
Politeness Tip
If a friend looks tired, say 'Você parece cansado'. Only use 'Você está acabado' if you have a very close relationship and want to emphasize how hard they worked. It can sound like you're saying they look old.
Resource Management
Use 'acabado' when checking the fridge. It's the most natural way to tell your roommate or partner that you need to buy more of something. 'O leite acabou' or 'O leite está acabado'.
Vivid Descriptions
When writing a story, use 'acabado' to describe a haunted house or a character who has had a very difficult life. It adds more emotion than just saying 'velho' (old).
Related Content
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a conta
A1The bill or check (in a restaurant).
a gosto
A2To taste, according to one's preference for flavor.
à la carte
A2À la carte, ordering individual dishes from a menu.
à mão
A2By hand (e.g., prepare by hand), done manually.
à mesa
A2At the table, referring to dining.
à parte
A2Aside; separately, served separately.
à pressa
A2In a hurry, with great haste.
à saúde
A2A toast, meaning 'to health' or 'cheers'.
a vapor
A2Steamed; cooked by steam.
à vontade
A2At ease/As much as you want; freely, comfortably.
