dernier appel
The French phrase for "last call" is dernier appel.
In the context of an airport or train station, dernier appel is used to announce the final boarding call for a specific transport service.
Meaning: announcement (noun)
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English idiom "last call" used in bars to signal the end of service, the French dernier appel is almost exclusively used for boarding announcements and does not carry the meaning of a final drink order.
Did you know?
- The word appel is used in the French idiom appel du pied, which translates literally to 'call of the foot' but actually means to give someone a subtle hint.
- The word dernier is derived from the Vulgar Latin *dēretrānus, which comes from the Latin retrō meaning 'backwards'.
- While dernier appel is for boarding, a 'last call' for a lottery or competition is often called dernier rappel.
Examples in context
- C'est le dernier appel pour le vol 333 vers Boston.This is the last call for Flight 333 to Boston.This sentence is useful for announcing the last call for a specific flight.Tatoeba #7040898 by Rovo, translation #3023971 by CK
- Dernier appel !Last call!This sentence is useful for a general announcement of the last call.Tatoeba #944100 by sacredceltic, translation #29746 by Dejo
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are at a train station.
- ChloéNathan, écoute ! C'est le dernier appel.Nathan, listen! It is the last call.
- NathanOh non, on doit courir !Oh no, we have to run!
- ChloéDépêche-toi, le train va partir.Hurry up, the train is going to leave.
- NathanJ'arrive, j'arrive !I'm coming, I'm coming!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “last call” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries appel, dernier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
