You're standing there, mid-sentence, trying to wrap up a story about your weekend in Madrid or maybe explaining a business process to a colleague in Mexico City. You need that one word. The closer. You want to say "lastly," but your brain hits a wall. Spanish isn't just a direct swap of English words. It's a puzzle of context.
If you just look it up in a standard dictionary, you might get últimamente. Stop right there. That’s a trap. Últimamente actually means "lately" or "recently." If you say "Últimamente, I went to the store," people will look at you like you've got two heads.
So, how do you say lastly in Spanish without sounding like a textbook from 1985? Honestly, it depends entirely on whether you’re writing a formal essay, complaining to a friend, or giving a step-by-step tutorial on how to make the perfect tortilla española.
The Heavy Hitter: Por Último
This is your bread and butter. If you want to be safe 90% of the time, use por último. It’s the most direct equivalent to "lastly" or "finally" when you are listing things.
Think about it like this. You’ve just listed three reasons why you love Argentinian steak. Reason one: the flavor. Reason two: the price. Por último, the atmosphere. It’s clean. It’s easy. It works in almost every Spanish-speaking country from Chile to Spain.
But Spanish speakers love variety. They hate repeating the same sounds. If you use por último three times in one conversation, you’re going to sound like a robot.
The Formal Contender: Finalmente
You've probably guessed this one. It’s a cognate. Finalmente sounds exactly like what it is: finally. While it works as a translation for "lastly," it carries a bit more weight. It suggests a sense of relief or a definitive end to a long process.
"Finalmente, terminamos el proyecto."
(Finally, we finished the project.)
It’s great for writing. If you’re sending an email to a boss or writing an academic paper, finalmente gives you that professional edge that por último sometimes lacks. It’s polished.
Para Terminar and Other Smooth Transitions
Sometimes, you don't want a single word. You want a phrase that flows. This is where native speakers really shine. They use "Para terminar" (To finish) or "Para concluir" (To conclude).
I was chatting with a friend from Colombia the other day, and she didn't use a formal adverb at all. She just said, "Y ya para acabar..." (And now to wrap up...). It’s conversational. It’s what real people actually say when they’re grabbing coffee.
Here are a few more "real-world" versions:
- Por fin: Use this if you’ve been waiting a long time. It’s "finally" in the sense of "at last!"
- En último lugar: This is literally "in the last place." It’s very common in formal presentations or structured debates.
- Para cerrar: Literally "to close." Great for speeches or even ending a podcast episode.
The Contextual Nuance You Can't Ignore
Language isn't just about vocabulary; it's about the "vibe." If you are in a casual setting, like a bar in Sevilla, and you use en último lugar, people might think you’re about to give a lecture.
Stick to por último or just a simple y (and) followed by your last point. Spanish is often more rhythmic than English. Sometimes we overcomplicate things by trying to find a fancy transition when a simple connector will do.
Real-world example:
"Primero fuimos al museo, luego comimos tacos, y por último fuimos a bailar."
(First we went to the museum, then we ate tacos, and lastly we went dancing.)
Notice the structure. It’s a progression. Primero (First), luego (then), por último (lastly). It’s a classic 1-2-3 punch.
Why You Should Avoid Últimamente Like the Plague
I have to circle back to this because it’s the #1 mistake English speakers make. The "-ly" suffix in English usually turns into "-mente" in Spanish.
Quick = Rápido -> Rápidamente.
Sad = Triste -> Tristemente.
Logic suggests:
Last = Último -> Últimamente.
Logic is a liar.
In Spanish, últimamente has been hijacked by time. It refers to the recent past. If someone asks, "¿Qué has hecho últimamente?" they are asking what you've been up to lately. If you respond by trying to list the last thing you did using that word, the conversation is going to derail fast.
Regional Flavors: Does it change in Mexico vs. Spain?
The short answer is: not really, but the frequency does. In Spain, you’ll hear por último constantly. In Mexico, you might hear al último or even just ya para finalizar more often in spoken slang.
There's also en fin. While "en fin" is often translated as "anyway" or "all in all," it’s frequently used to signal that you are done talking. It’s the verbal equivalent of closing a book. If you want to say "lastly" as a way to summarize everything you just said, en fin is your best friend.
Common Phrases for Different Situations
Let's break down how you’d actually use these in the wild.
At a Restaurant
You’ve ordered the wine, the appetizer, and the main course.
"Y por último, querríamos el flan." (And lastly, we’d like the flan.)
In a Business Meeting
You’re presenting the quarterly results.
"Finalmente, me gustaría hablar sobre los objetivos para el próximo año." (Finally/Lastly, I would like to talk about the goals for next year.)
Telling a Story to Friends
"Fuimos a la playa, compramos helado, y al final, nos quedamos dormidos en la arena." (We went to the beach, bought ice cream, and in the end, we fell asleep in the sand.)
Note that al final is a great substitute for "lastly" when you’re talking about the outcome of a sequence of events.
The "Lastly" Cheat Sheet
Instead of a boring table, let's just look at these as "moods."
👉 See also: How Long Does It Take to Grow an Avocado Pit Without Losing Your Mind?
If you’re feeling formal, go with Finalmente or En último lugar.
If you’re feeling casual, use Por último or Y para acabar.
If you’re relieved something is over, use Por fin.
If you’re summarizing a whole bunch of nonsense, use En fin.
Actionable Steps for Your Spanish Journey
Don't just memorize the list. Use it. Here is how you actually bake this into your brain:
- The Rule of Three: Next time you speak Spanish, try to list three things. Use Primero, Luego, and Por último. Forcing yourself into that 3-part structure makes the transition word feel natural.
- Watch for the "Mente" Trap: Every time you want to say a word ending in -ly, pause. Ask yourself if it’s a "false friend." Últimamente is the big one to watch out for.
- Listen for "En fin": Watch a Spanish show on Netflix (like La Casa de Papel or Elite). Listen for how characters end their rants. You’ll hear en fin or por último way more than the stuffy versions taught in classrooms.
- Practice with "Para": Start using "Para" phrases. Para terminar, Para concluir, Para cerrar. These are easier to remember because they use the infinitive form of the verb, so you don't have to worry about weird conjugations.
Spanish is a living, breathing thing. It's less about being "correct" and more about being understood. If you say finalmente, everyone will know what you mean. But if you drop a well-timed por último, you’ll sound like someone who actually knows the soul of the language.
Start by replacing one "lastly" in your next Spanish conversation. See how it feels. Notice if the person you're talking to uses a different word in response. That’s the real secret to fluency: being a linguistic sponge.
Capture the rhythm. Avoid the "mente" trap. Keep it simple. That's how you master the art of the ending in Spanish.