How to Say ‘Run Out of’ in Portuguese: Ficar Sem
Ficar sem describes having none left; acabar can describe a supply or resource running out.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Ficar sem means to end up without something. Use it for everyday resources such as coffee, time, money, or phone battery. The phrase is followed directly by the noun.
Use ficar sem when you have none left
Fiquei sem bateria no meio da viagem.
I ran out of battery in the middle of the trip.
Estamos ficando sem água.
We’re running out of water.
Use acabar to describe the supply ending
Acabar means to finish or run out. The thing that is being used up can be the subject: acabou o café (the coffee ran out). For a person who has used all of something, combine acabar with de and the verb.
O leite acabou ontem.
We ran out of milk yesterday.
Acabei de gastar todo o meu crédito.
I just used up all my credit.
Say what you need next
After explaining that something ran out, add a practical next step: precisamos comprar mais (we need to buy more) or dá para recarregar? (can we recharge it?). This turns a problem into a useful request.
Ficamos sem pão. Você pode comprar mais?
We ran out of bread. Can you buy some more?
O celular está quase sem bateria.
The phone is almost out of battery.
Put it into practice
Use ficar sem to say you have none left and acabar when a supply comes to an end.
Quick practice
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