Acababan (en. They were finishing)

/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.