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acababa de

had just

→ acabar
phrase Uncommon #22,705
had just Used with a past infinitive to say that something happened very recently in the past.
SP: Yo acababa de salir cuando empezó a llover.
EN: I had just left when it started to rain.

Tom miró al hombre que acababa de entrar.

Tom looked at the man who had just entered.

Ella acababa de empezar a leer el libro cuando alguien golpeó la puerta.

She had just started reading the book when someone knocked on the door.

Acababa de llegar a casa del gimnasio.

I had just arrived home from the gym.

— Hunting Season (2025)

Cuando volvió yo acababa de terminar de escribir la carta.

When he returned I had just finished writing the letter.

Él acababa de llegar a casa cuando llamé.

He had just arrived home when I called.

Acababa de llegar.

He had just arrived.

Él acababa de llegar.

He had just arrived.

Acababa de empezar la carrera y ya iba por otro camino.

The race had just started and I was already going down a different path.

— Tropa de élite (2007)

Acababa de terminar los deberes cuando vino a visitarme.

I had just finished my homework when he came to visit me.

El día que murió mi padre, Me acababa de lavar y estaba listo.

The day my father died, I had just washed and was ready.

— El agente secreto (2025)

Acababa de llegar aquí con Andris, y de repente, lo imposible se hizo posible.

I had just arrived here with Andris, and suddenly, the impossible became possible.

— TÁR (2022)

Philippe acababa de cumplir cinco.

Philippe had just turned five.

— No se lo digas a nadie (2006)

Él acababa de llegar aquí.

He had just arrived here.

Acababa de terminar los deberes cuando Ted me llamó.

I had just finished my homework when Ted called me.