01
letzt
last
Refers to the end of a sequence or what comes at the very end.
example
Das ist die letzte Haltestelle, hier müssen alle aussteigen.
This is the last stop; everyone has to get off here.
letzt
last
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Two main meanings
'Letzt-' (last) has two important meanings that you must recognize from context: it can mean the final one in a sequence or the previous one in time.
EXAMPLE
Das ist meine letzte Frage für heute.
This is my last question for today.
Attributive use
The adjective 'letzt-' (last) is almost always used attributively, meaning it stands before a noun and is declined. Predicative use, such as 'Die Chance ist letzt.' (The chance is last), is unusual.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben den letzten Zug nur knapp verpasst.
We only just missed the last train.
Typical time expressions
In the meaning 'vorig' (previous/last), 'letzt-' is very frequently combined with time expressions. Typical phrases are 'letzte Woche' (last week), 'letzten Monat' (last month), 'letztes Jahr' (last year), or with weekdays such as 'letzten Dienstag' (last Tuesday).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe ihn letzten Monat zufällig in der Stadt getroffen.
I ran into him by chance in town last month.
Fixed expression
The expression 'zu guter Letzt' (last but not least) is a fixed expression and means 'finally' or 'in the end'. It is often used to introduce a final, concluding point in a list or story.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben gegessen, geredet und zu guter Letzt noch einen Film geschaut.
We ate, talked, and last but not least watched a film.
Compare with
letzt vs erst
only / not until / first
'erst' and 'letzt' can both have to do with a sequence. In this context, 'erst' means the beginning: something comes first or at the start. 'letzt' means the end: something comes at the very end. So they are opposites in a sequence. They can be confused because both are short and often talk about order. The form is also important: 'erst' often appears as an adverb, for example 'erst machen wir ...' (first we do ...). 'letzt' usually appears as an adjective with a noun, for example 'der letzte Punkt' (the last point).
letzt
Auf der Reise besuchen sie am letzten Tag noch das Museum.
On the trip, they visit the museum on the last day.
erst
Erst lesen wir den Text, dann beantworten wir die Fragen.
First we read the text, then we answer the questions.
In real life
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