el último
/el ultimo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "last one" is translated into Spanish as el último.
This phrase refers to the final person or thing in a sequence or group. Depending on the context, el último can mean both "the last one" (the final item in a sequence) and "the latest" (the most recent one).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender with the noun it refers to. Use el último when referring to a masculine noun and la última for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/el ultimo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid mixing genders by using the masculine article with a feminine adjective, such as saying el última instead of la última.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word último is a 'learned borrowing' from Latin, meaning it was consciously reintroduced into the language by scholars rather than evolving naturally through daily speech.
Examples in context
- El último es el mejor.The last one is the best.This sentence shows how to say the last one is the best using el último.Tatoeba #2471350 by marcelostockle, translation #2439983 by CK
- Soy el último que lo vio.I'm the last one who saw him.This sentence shows how to use el último to describe the last person who saw someone.Tatoeba #6308970 by marcelostockle, translation #3910452 by CH
- Yo fui el último en salir.I was the last one out.This sentence shows how to use el último to describe the last person to leave.Tatoeba #2828805 by marcelostockle, translation #2546780 by CK
- Este es el último libroThis is the last book
- Ella es la última en la filaShe is the last one in line
- Me comí el último pedazo de pastelI ate the last piece of cake
- Él es el último de la filaHe is the last one in line
- El último día del mesThe last day of the month
- El último tren hacia MadridThe last train to Madrid
- Me gustaría comprar la última copa disponibleI would like to buy the last available drink
- Este es el último intento para resolver el acertijoThis is the last attempt to solve the riddle
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are at a bakery looking at the pastries.
- Javier¿Queda algún cruasán?Is there any croissant left?
- MaríaSí, pero es el último.Yes, but it is the last one.
- Javier¡Perfecto! Lo quiero para mí.Perfect! I want it for myself.
- MaríaEstá bien, Javier.Alright, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, último, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
