final
/fee-NAHL/
final
As an adjective, 'final' means 'last' or 'concluding'. Here, the red block is the final block in the series.
final(Adjective)
final
?the last one in a series
,last
?the concluding part
ultimate
?the definitive one
📝 In Action
Esta es la decisión final.
A2This is the final decision.
El examen final es el viernes.
A2The final exam is on Friday.
Leí el capítulo final del libro anoche.
B1I read the final chapter of the book last night.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement is Key
In Spanish, adjectives like 'final' usually go after the thing they describe. So, instead of 'the final chapter', you say 'el capítulo final'.
One Form for Him and Her
The word 'final' doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. It's 'el examen final' (masculine) and 'la decisión final' (feminine). It only changes for plural things, when you add '-es': 'los exámenes finales'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
English Word Order
Mistake: "Quiero ver la final película."
Correction: Quiero ver la película final. Remember to place 'final' after the noun it's describing.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing the Last Step
Use 'final' to talk about the last part of a process or series, like the 'versión final' of a document or the 'etapa final' (final stage) of a project.
As a masculine noun, 'el final' means 'the end' or 'the ending', often referring to the conclusion of a story or journey.
final(Noun)
end
?the last part of something
,ending
?of a story, movie, etc.
finale
?the concluding part of a performance
📝 In Action
El final de la película fue muy triste.
A2The end of the movie was very sad.
Al final del día, estoy muy cansado.
B1At the end of the day, I am very tired.
No me gustó el final del libro.
A2I didn't like the book's ending.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine: 'el final'
When 'final' means 'the end' or 'the ending', it's a masculine word. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el final de la calle' (the end of the street).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up Genders
Mistake: "Me gustó la final de la serie."
Correction: Me gustó el final de la serie. The ending of a show or book is 'el final' (masculine).
⭐ Usage Tips
'al final' vs 'al fin'
The phrase 'al final' means 'in the end' or 'eventually'. For example, 'Al final, todo salió bien' (In the end, everything turned out fine). It's slightly different from 'por fin' or 'al fin', which mean 'finally!' or 'at last!'
As a feminine noun, 'la final' refers specifically to the 'final match' or 'championship game' in a competition.
📝 In Action
Mi equipo llegó a la final.
B1My team made it to the final.
¿Quién ganó la final de la Copa del Mundo?
B1Who won the World Cup final?
Las entradas para la final son muy caras.
B2The tickets for the final are very expensive.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine: 'la final'
When talking about the final match or round of a competition, the word is feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una': 'la final del torneo' (the tournament final).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up Genders for Sports
Mistake: "Vimos el final de baloncesto anoche."
Correction: Vimos la final de baloncesto anoche. A championship game is always 'la final' (feminine).
⭐ Usage Tips
From Quarters to the Final
This word is part of a series in competitions: 'los cuartos de final' (quarterfinals), 'la semifinal' (semifinal), and 'la final' (the final).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: final
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is correct for 'My team won the tournament final'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'el final' and 'el fin'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable. 'El final' usually refers to the last part of something, like a movie or a book ('el final de la película'). 'El fin' can mean that too, but it's also used for more abstract ends, like 'el fin de una era' (the end of an era), or for purpose ('el fin justifica los medios' - the end justifies the means). A very common phrase is 'el fin de semana' (the weekend).
Why is 'final' sometimes masculine ('el final') and sometimes feminine ('la final')?
They are actually two different nouns with different meanings, even though they look the same! 'El final' is masculine and means 'the end' or 'the ending'. 'La final' is feminine and refers specifically to 'the final match' or 'final round' in a competition like the World Cup.
Does the adjective 'final' always come after the noun?
Almost always, yes. This is the most natural and common way to say it in Spanish: 'la decisión final', 'el producto final'. Placing it before the noun is very rare and sounds poetic or literary.