últimamente
/ˌultimaˈmente/
The Spanish word for lately is últimamente.
últimamente is used to describe something occurring in the period of time leading up to the present.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from the adjective último (last) and the adverbial suffix -mente (-ly).
Which one should you use?
While últimamente refers to a period of time leading up to now, the phrase el último refers to the final item in a sequence.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, últimamente is indeclinable and does not change based on the gender or number of the subject or object.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌultimaˈmente/
Did you know?
- The suffix -mente in últimamente shares a common ancestor with the English word 'mind', both tracing back to the Latin 'mens' meaning 'mind'.
- In Spanish, if you use multiple adverbs ending in -mente in one sentence, it is common to drop the suffix from all but the last one to avoid repetition.
- The word último in últimamente is a linguistic relative of the English word 'penultimate', which refers to the second to last item in a series.
Examples in context
- No la he visto últimamente.I have not seen her lately.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have not seen someone lately.Tatoeba #2410357 by marcelostockle, translation #243893 by CH
- ¿A quién has ayudado últimamente?Who have you helped lately?This sentence is useful for asking who someone has helped lately.Tatoeba #5728409 by baudelaire, translation #4950772 by CK
- Tom parece deprimido últimamente.Tom seems down lately.This sentence is useful for describing how someone has seemed lately.Tatoeba #6961434 by diegohn, translation #5752445 by CM
- Recientemente, he estado trabajando en un proyecto importante.Lately, I have been working on an important project.
- Últimamente, los precios han estado aumentando.Lately, the prices have been increasing.
- Últimamente, no he tenido mucho tiempo libre.Lately, I haven't had much free time.
- No he visto a Juan en los últimos días.I haven't seen Juan lately/in the past few days.
- No he sentido mucha energía en estos días.I haven't been feeling very energetic lately/in recent days.
- Hace poco, terminé de leer un libro interesante.Lately/Recently, I finished reading an interesting book.
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are catching up at a cafe.
- MaríaHola Mateo, ¿cómo has estado últimamente?Hi Mateo, how have you been lately?
- MateoMuy bien, María, pero con mucho trabajo.Very well, María, but with a lot of work.
- María¿Has descansado algo últimamente?Have you rested at all lately?
- MateoNo, la verdad es que no.No, to be honest, I haven't.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry últimamente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries últimamente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
