Acabar in Portuguese vs. Acabar + de

acabar

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 virando o chefe » She always ends up becomming the boss.
Diga-me que essa agonia acaba logo. » Tell me that this agony ends soon.

» From our online Portuguese course.

Examples of acabar + de

I just woke up. » Acabei de acordar.
She just ate. » Ela acabou de comer.

That de makes a big difference.

Examples of acabar + de in context