Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Finally in Spanish: Finalmente
Finalmente · adverb · fee-nahl-MEN-teh
Finalmente is the standard Spanish adverb for finally, suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Spanish offers nuanced alternatives: por fin and al fin both express relief that something has happened at last, while por último is used to introduce the final point in a sequence or list without any emotional connotation.
fee-nahl-MEN-teh
Finalmente terminamos el proyecto después de meses de trabajo.
We finally finished the project after months of work.
Finally in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for finally, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| finalmente | finally | fee-nahl-MEN-teh | Default, widely understood |
| por fin | finally | at last — implies relief or long-awaited outcome | |
| al fin | finally | at last — similar to por fin, slightly more formal | |
| por último | finally | lastly — used to introduce the final item in a list or sequence |
How Native Speakers Use Finalmente
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Expressing relief
¡Por fin llegó el autobús! Llevamos esperando media hora.
The bus finally arrived! We've been waiting for half an hour.
Feeling relieved after a long wait
Wrapping up a presentation
Por último, quiero agradecer a todos los que hicieron posible este evento.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who made this event possible.
Concluding a speech with the last point in a series
Narrating a sequence of events
Primero fuimos al museo, luego almorzamos, y finalmente paseamos por el parque.
First we went to the museum, then we had lunch, and finally we walked through the park.
Recounting a day's activities in order
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Finalmente
Using por último to express relief
Incorrect: ¡Por último aprobé el examen!
Correct: ¡Por fin aprobé el examen!
Por último means 'lastly' and is used for listing. To express relief that something long-awaited has occurred, use por fin or al fin.
Placing finalmente after the verb awkwardly
Incorrect: Terminamos finalmente el proyecto después de meses.
Correct: Finalmente terminamos el proyecto después de meses.
While finalmente can appear in different positions, placing it at the beginning of the sentence or directly before the verb sounds most natural in Spanish.
Lock in Finally Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Finalmente used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using finalmente in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Finalmente terminamos el proyecto después de meses de trabajo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Finally in Spanish
- What is the difference between por fin and por último?
- Por fin expresses emotional relief that something has happened at last ('¡Por fin es viernes!' — Finally it's Friday!). Por último is unemotional and simply introduces the last item in a list or sequence.
- Are al fin and por fin interchangeable?
- They are very close in meaning and often interchangeable. Al fin can sound slightly more formal or literary, while por fin is the more common choice in everyday speech.
- Can I start a sentence with finalmente?
- Absolutely. Finalmente works well at the start of a sentence to signal a conclusion or final event: 'Finalmente decidió mudarse a otra ciudad' (He finally decided to move to another city).