In Spanish we use this verbal structure to express "To have just done [something]".
Have a look and listen to the following examples in different tenses:
Acabo de romper la mesa.
I have just broken the table.
Nosotros acabábamos de comer cuando Sara llegó.
We had just eaten when Sara arrived.
Usted acaba de comprar el viaje de sus sueños.
You have just bought your dream trip.
Los jubilados acababan de llegar a Benidorm cuando empezó la tormenta.
The retirees had just arrived to Benidorm when the storm started.
Notice how the preposition de always follows acabar. In Spanish, unlike in English, we do not use a participle (-ed form) but rather an infinitive after de.
Acabo de llegar.
Acabo de llegado.
I have just arrived.
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Los jubilados acababan de llegar a Benidorm cuando empezó la tormenta.
The retirees had just arrived to Benidorm when the storm started.
Usted acaba de comprar el viaje de sus sueños.
You have just bought your dream trip.
Acabo de romper la mesa.
I have just broken the table.
Nosotros acabábamos de comer cuando Sara llegó.
We had just eaten when Sara arrived.
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