How to Say “Last” in French: Formal and Informal Ways

Hello there! If you’re looking to expand your French vocabulary and learn how to say “last” in different contexts, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore how to express the concept of “last” formally and informally in French. We’ll also provide handy tips, examples, and regional variations (if applicable) to help you navigate the nuances of this versatile word. Let’s get started!

Formal Ways to Say “Last” in French

When it comes to formal expressions of “last” in French, you have a few options at your disposal. Choosing the appropriate word depends on the context and the gender and number agreement with the noun you’re referring to. Here are some commonly used formal ways to say “last” in French:

1. Dernier: This is the most general and commonly used translation for “last” in formal contexts. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example:
   

   La dernière fois que j’ai visité Paris, c’était en 2019.
   (The last time I visited Paris was in 2019.)

   Les derniers résultats du sondage sont encourageants.
   (The latest survey results are encouraging.)

   La dernière séance du congrès aura lieu demain.
   (The final session of the congress will take place tomorrow.)

   Les dernières nouvelles que j’ai entendues ne sont pas bonnes.
   (The latest news I heard is not good.)

2. Ultérieur: This word is used to specifically convey a sense of “subsequent” or “further” in a formal context. Here’s an example:
   

   Nous vous tiendrons informé de toute information ultérieure.
   (We will keep you informed of any further information.)

3. Terminal: This term is commonly used in formal contexts when referring to the last station, stop, or terminal point of a transportation route. For instance:
   

   Le train arrivera en gare principale, sa destination terminale.
   (The train will arrive at the main station, its final destination.)

Informal Ways to Say “Last” in French

If you’re looking for more casual ways to express “last” in French, especially in everyday conversations or informal writing, you’ll find the following alternatives quite useful:

1. En dernier: This informal expression, literally meaning “in last,” is commonly used in a variety of contexts when you want to emphasize the order or position of something. For example:
   

   J’ai vu Marie, Pauline, puis toi en dernier.
   (I saw Marie, then Pauline, and finally you.)

   En dernier, n’oublie pas de fermer la porte.
   (Finally, don’t forget to close the door.)

2. Dernièrement: This adverbial form of “last” is equivalent to “recently” in English. Informally, it is often used to refer to something that has happened or taken place in the recent past. Here’s an example:
   

   J’ai vu un excellent film dernièrement.
   (I saw an excellent movie lately.)

3. À la toute fin: In informal contexts, if you want to stress the very end of something, you can use this expression, which translates to “at the very end” in English. For instance:
   

   L’événement était génial, mais les feux d’artifice à la toute fin étaient époustouflants !
   (The event was fantastic, but the fireworks at the very end were breathtaking!)

Regional Variations

French is a diverse language spoken in various regions, and there may be slight differences in local expressions related to “last.” Here’s a quick glimpse into some regional variants:

Québécois French

In Québec, a common way to say “last” informally is:

Gosse/derné (both mean “last” in Quebec slang)

For example, “Je te vois gosse” translates to “I’ll see you later” (literally “I’ll see you last”). However, note that these regional variants are not commonly used in formal settings.

Belgian French

In Belgium, you may encounter the following regional variation:

Passé (meaning “past” or “last” when used informally)

For example, “On se voit le week-end passé” means “See you last weekend.”

Remember that regional variations should be used cautiously, considering the context and the audience.

Tips for Using “Last” in French

Here are some additional tips to help you use the word “last” effectively in different situations:

• Pay attention to the gender and number agreement of the word “last” (dernier/dernière/derniers/dernières) with the noun it modifies.
• Consider the formality of the situation to choose the appropriate word.
• Practice using “last” in various contexts to internalize its proper usage.
• Take into account any regional variations if you wish to add a touch of local flavor to your French.
• Try to understand the context and tone of the conversation to better select the informal or formal variant of “last” in French.

Now armed with formal and informal ways to say “last” in French, feel free to practice incorporating this versatile word into your conversations and written communication. Bonne chance!