Portuguese Phrase
Acabei de limpar isso.
Meaning
This phrase utilizes the 'acabar de' construction, which is the standard way to express that an action was completed very recently. It is the Portuguese equivalent of the English 'to have just done something'.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to inform someone that a cleaning task was finished moments ago, often as a gentle warning not to make it dirty again.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Acabeidelimparisso
Acabar (Preterite)
'Acabei' is the first-person singular past tense of 'acabar' (to finish).
The 'De' Connector
The preposition 'de' is essential here to link the finished state to the action that was performed.
Infinitive Verb
'Limpar' stays in its base form (infinitive) because the time aspect is already handled by 'acabei'.
🗨In Conversation
Posso colocar minhas chaves na mesa?
Can I put my keys on the table?
Espere um pouco, acabei de limpar isso.
Wait a bit, I just cleaned this.
✕Common Mistakes
Eu acabei limpar isso.
In Portuguese, the verb 'acabar' requires the preposition 'de' before the infinitive to mean 'just finished'.
Eu acabei de limpo isso.
After the 'acabar de' construction, the following verb must always be in the infinitive form (limpar), not conjugated.
↔Alternatives
Terminei de limpar agora mesmo.
I finished cleaning right now.
Já limpei isso.
I already cleaned this.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the 'de' in 'acabei de' is frequently reduced in spoken conversation to a quick 'dji' sound. While 'isso' means 'this', it is often used colloquially to refer to an area or object regardless of the exact distance from the speaker.