We've written about ACABAR de before -- because it's such a useful combination. When you place a de after acabar, it takes on the meaning of, to have just. ACABAR in Portuguese by itself means: to end, to end-up, to finish. Everyone gets these mixed-up (confundida) ~ The de placed right after ACABAR makes a big difference and sets it apart from just ACABAR without the de.
Use ACABAR + de to express the idea that something just (now happened; You just finished doing something. Learn to use this combo ~ it's 2nd only to gostar + de in popularity.
Examples of acabar in Portuguese
A few examples will help clear this up:
Acaba sendo diferente
➜ It winds up being different.
Essa história acaba hoje.
➜ This story ends today.
Como acaba exatamente, ninguém sabe.
➜ How exactly it ends up no one knows.
Ela sempre acaba sendo o heroi.
➜ he always ends up being the hero.
Diga-me que essa tortura acaba logo.
➜ Tell me that this torture ends soon.
» From our online Portuguese course.
Examples of acabar + de
Acabei de acordar.
➜ I just woke up.
Ela acabou de comer.
➜ She just ate.
That de makes a big difference.
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