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    Acababan (en. Had just finished)

    /akaˈβaɾ/

    Meaning & Definition

    EnglishSpanish
    verb
    Indicates a completed action in the past.
    They had just arrived when we started the meeting.
    Ellos acababan de llegar cuando comenzamos la reunión.
    It is used to talk about a state that ended in the past.
    The construction of the building finished earlier than expected.
    Las obras del edificio acababan antes de lo previsto.
    It is also used to express a change in the state of a situation.
    The seasons had just changed and the weather became colder.
    Las estaciones acababan de cambiar y el clima se volvió más frío.

    Etymology

    It comes from the Latin verb 'acabare', which means 'to finish'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    they had just
    It is used to indicate that something happened shortly before another event.
    acababan de
    the vacations were ending
    It means that the period of rest was coming to an end.
    se acababan las vacaciones
    the criticisms were ending
    It refers to criticisms coming to an end.
    acababan las críticas

    Related Words

    finish
    Verb that means to finish or reach the end of something.
    acabar
    run out
    Reflexive verb that indicates that something has completely finished.
    acabarse
    finished
    Adjective that describes something that has been completed or finalized.
    acabado

    Slang Meanings

    It is used in certain regions to refer to being carefree or worry-free.
    We were so comfortable that problems were fading away.
    Estábamos tan cómodos que los problemas se acababan.
    It is used to joke about something that ends unexpectedly.
    When the intermission came, the party had just started.
    Cuando llegó el pronto, la fiesta acababa de empezar.