último minuto
/ultimo minuto/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'last minute' is translated into Spanish as último minuto.
The phrase último minuto is used as an adjective to describe something occurring very close to a deadline. You may also encounter the phrase de último momento as a very common alternative to describe something happening at the last moment.
Meaning: very close to a deadline (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is a literal translation of 'last minute', where último means 'last' and minuto means 'minute'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase a última hora is commonly used to mean 'at the last minute'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ultimo minuto/
Did you know?
- The word minuto shares an unexpected connection with the Spanish word menudo, which can mean 'small' or refer to a type of soup.
- In many Latin American countries, de último momento is preferred over último minuto when describing news or urgent updates, similar to a 'breaking news' alert.
- In Spain, using a última hora to mean 'at the last minute' can sometimes imply a lack of planning or a sudden change of heart rather than just a deadline.
Examples in context
- Yanni esperó hasta el último minuto.Yanni waited until the last minute.The sentence is useful for showing how to use último minuto to express waiting until a specific time.Tatoeba #10076956 by manufrutos, translation #10076100 by Amastan
- Tom cambió de idea en el último minuto.Tom changed his mind at the last minute.The sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use último minuto when someone changes their mind.Tatoeba #1388948 by marcelostockle, translation #1095311 by CK
- Él canceló la reunión en el último minuto.He cancelled the meeting at the last minute.The sentence is useful for illustrating the use of último minuto regarding the cancellation of an event.Tatoeba #1562179 by marcelostockle, translation #1476069 by sundown
- Se tomó la decisión en el último momentoThe decision was made at the last minute
- El informe se entregó sobre la horaThe report was submitted at the last minute
- La operación se realizó in extremisThe operation was carried out at the last minute
- Llegaste al último momentoYou arrived at the last minute
- Decidí cancelar el vuelo en el último momentoI decided to cancel the flight at the last minute
- Me dieron el boleto de concierto sobre la horaThey gave me the concert ticket at the last minute
- El cliente canceló su pedido a última horaThe client canceled their order at the last minute
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are discussing a travel itinerary.
- Javier¿Ya compraste los billetes de avión?Did you already buy the plane tickets?
- SofíaNo, no quiero un cambio de último minuto.No, I don't want a last minute change.
- JavierTienes razón, es mejor planear con tiempo.You are right, it is better to plan ahead.
- SofíaSí, así evitamos problemas.Yes, that way we avoid problems.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries minuto, último, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
