Inklingo

How to Say "last" in Spanish

English → Spanish

último

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'último' when referring to the final item in a sequence, series, or list, or the very end of something.

Examples

Diciembre es el último mes del año.

December is the last month of the year.

pasado

/pa-SA-do//paˈsa.ðo/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'pasado' specifically when referring to a period of time that has just ended, like the previous day, week, month, or year.
A very hard, dry, and slightly moldy piece of bread sitting on a simple wooden surface, illustrating staleness.

Examples

El año pasado viajé a México.

Last year I traveled to Mexico.

La semana pasada no tuvimos clase.

Last week we didn't have class.

El arroz está un poco pasado, pero se puede comer.

The rice is a little overcooked, but it's edible.

Making it Match

'Pasado' is like a chameleon. It changes its ending to match the word it's describing. Use 'pasado' for masculine words (el año pasado) and 'pasada' for feminine words (la semana pasada).

Where does it go?

When talking about time, 'pasado' almost always comes right after the noun it describes, like in 'el fin de semana pasado' (last weekend).

Also a Verb Part

You'll also see 'pasado' used with the verb 'haber' to talk about things that 'have happened'. For example, 'He pasado un buen día' (I have had a good day). Here, it's part of the verb 'pasar'.

Pasado vs. Último

Mistake: “Using 'último' to mean 'last year'.”

Correction: 'El año pasado' means 'the year before this one' (e.g., 2023). 'El último año' means 'the final year' (e.g., the last year of college). For time periods just before now, stick with 'pasado'.

final

/fee-NAHL//fiˈnal/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'final' to describe something that concludes or finishes something else, often implying the end of a process or event.
A row of blocks where the last block is marked in a special color, indicating the final item in the series.

Examples

Esta es la decisión final.

This is the final decision.

El examen final es el viernes.

The final exam is on Friday.

Leí el capítulo final del libro anoche.

I read the final chapter of the book last night.

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'.

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.

terminal

tehr-mee-NAHL/teɾmiˈnal/

AdjectiveB2Formal/Medical
Use 'terminal' in a more formal or medical context to describe an endpoint that is irreversible or leads to death.
A simple, winding cobblestone path reaches an abrupt end at the edge of a grassy cliff overlooking the ocean, symbolizing a conclusion or final stage.

Examples

El paciente se encuentra en una fase terminal de la enfermedad.

The patient is in a terminal phase of the illness.

La velocidad terminal de la caída depende de la resistencia del aire.

The terminal velocity of the fall depends on air resistance.

El punto terminal del proyecto es la presentación final.

The final point of the project is the closing presentation.

Always Agrees

As an adjective, 'terminal' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes (e.g., 'fase terminal' feminine singular, 'puntos terminales' masculine plural).

Confusing 'Último' and 'Pasado'

The most common mistake is using 'último' when you mean 'pasado' for time. Remember, 'pasado' refers to the time period immediately before now (last year, last week), while 'último' refers to the final item in a sequence (the last person in line, the last chapter).

Related Translations

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