Learn Portuguese (Portugal): O falar superficial tem de acabar.

This is the substantivation of the infinitive. By placing the masculine definite article o before the infinitive falar, it is transformed into a noun meaning the act of talking. Because it now functions as a noun, it takes an adjective (superficial) rather than an adverb.

How is o falar different from the regular noun a fala?

While both relate to speaking, a fala generally refers to speech, the voice, or the physical ability to speak. Using the substantivated infinitive o falar emphasizes the continuous action, habit, or behavior. It is the perfect way to capture the ongoing act of talking.

I often hear people say tem que for obligations. Why does this sentence use tem de?

In European Portuguese, ter de followed by an infinitive is the traditional and grammatically correct way to express a strong obligation or necessity. You will frequently hear ter que in casual everyday speech, but ter de remains the standard form you should prioritize, especially in writing.

If acabar normally means to finish, why is it translated as to stop here?