spätestens
at the latest
Indicates the latest possible point in time; no later than the stated time or deadline.
EXAMPLE
Die Bewerbung muss spätestens am Freitag bei uns eingehen.
The application must reach us by Friday at the latest.
spätestens
at the latest
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Meanings
Usage tips
Superlative of 'spät'
'Spätestens' (at the latest) is a form of the superlative of 'spät' (late). The ending '-ens' forms an adverb that indicates an outer limit or the latest possible point in time.
EXAMPLE
Ich rufe dich spätestens heute Abend zurück.
I’ll call you back by this evening at the latest.
Position in the sentence
'Spätestens' (at the latest) usually stands directly before the time expression it limits. If it stands at the beginning of the sentence for more emphasis, the verb follows directly after it in position 2.
EXAMPLE
Du musst den Antrag spätestens bis Montag abgeben.
You have to submit the application by Monday at the latest.
Typical time expressions
Common combinations are points in time with 'um' (spätestens um 15 Uhr — at 3 p.m. at the latest), days with 'am' (spätestens am Mittwoch — by Wednesday at the latest), or deadlines with 'bis' (spätestens bis Ende der Woche — by the end of the week at the latest).
EXAMPLE
Wir sollten spätestens um 10 Uhr losfahren, um den Zug nicht zu verpassen.
We should leave by 10 o’clock at the latest so we don’t miss the train.
Compare with
spätestens vs bis
until / to
When giving a deadline, „bis“ initially names the endpoint in time in a neutral way. „Spätestens“ explicitly emphasizes that the stated time is the latest possible one and that it may not be later. Use „bis“ for a normal deadline and „spätestens“ when the absolute limit is important.
spätestens
Bitte schicken Sie die Unterlagen spätestens Freitag an das Büro.
Please send the documents to the office no later than Friday.
bis
Bitte schicken Sie die Unterlagen bis Freitag an das Büro.
Please send the documents to the office by Friday.
In real life
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