Lesson 20 · Verb chains
Teach
Fill it in 5
Say it 3
Review 4
Just did it
acabo de llegar
Say these out loud
Why it works
Acabar de + infinitive means it finished a moment ago.
Keep acabar in the PRESENT for a just-now action: acabo de salir.
In the imperfect it means had just: acababa de salir cuando me llamó.
Why not acabé de
acabé de salir de la reunión
I finished leaving the meeting
Says you finished the act of leaving. For just now, acabar stays in the present.
In a full sentence
Acabo de salir de la oficina para coger el metro.
I have just left the office to catch the metro.
It happened only a moment ago.
Acabo de salir del gimnasio y tengo mucha sed.
I have just left the gym and I am very thirsty.
The gym session finished a moment ago.
Mi compañero acaba de salir de una videollamada.
My colleague has just left a video call.
His call ended only a moment ago.
Ella acaba de salir del supermercado con la compra.
She has just left the supermarket with the groceries.
Her shopping trip finished a moment ago.
5 gaps to fill, then 3 sentences from the English · say or type each one