zuletzt
last / lastly
In the last position in a sequence or at the end of a period of time.
EXAMPLE
Zuerst hat er aufgeräumt, dann gekocht und zuletzt ferngesehen.
First he cleaned up, then cooked, and lastly watched TV.
zuletzt
last / recently
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Meanings
zuletzt
last / most recently
Refers to the last time something happened; recently, not long ago.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe ihn zuletzt letzte Woche auf dem Markt gesehen.
I last saw him at the market last week.
nicht zuletzt
not least
Used to emphasize an important point or reason; also and especially.
EXAMPLE
Der Urlaub war nicht zuletzt wegen des guten Wetters ein voller Erfolg.
The vacation was a complete success, not least because of the good weather.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Zuletzt' is a compound of the preposition 'zu' and the adjective 'letzt' (letzte, letzter, letztes). It therefore describes what happens at the 'last' point in time or in the 'last' position.
EXAMPLE
Die letzte Prüfung war die schwierigste.
The last exam was the most difficult.
Context clue
The meaning of 'zuletzt' depends on the context. Does it describe the last step in a sequence, often with 'zuerst' (first) or 'dann' (then)? Or does it describe the last point in the past when something happened?
EXAMPLE
Zuerst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen und zuletzt die Ruhe.
First work, then pleasure, and last of all rest.
Sentence position
When 'zuletzt' stands at the beginning of a sentence to mark the last point in a list, the verb follows directly after it (inversion).
EXAMPLE
Zuerst aßen wir, dann tanzten wir. Zuletzt saßen wir noch lange zusammen.
First we ate, then we danced. Lastly, we sat together for a long time.
Fixed expression
The expression 'nicht zuletzt' (not least) does not mean 'not at the end'. It is used to emphasize a final but especially important reason or aspect.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein guter Kollege, nicht zuletzt wegen seiner Hilfsbereitschaft.
He is a good colleague, not least because of his willingness to help.
Compare with
zuletzt vs endlich
finally / finite
Both words can refer to the end of a longer process. „Endlich“ usually shows that someone has been waiting for something and feels relieved or impatient. „Zuletzt“, by contrast, mainly indicates the last position in a sequence or the endpoint of a period of time. Choose „zuletzt“ when the order is important.
zuletzt
Nach allen anderen trat sie zuletzt auf die Bühne.
After everyone else, she was the last to go onstage.
endlich
Nach langem Warten durfte sie endlich auf die Bühne.
After waiting for a long time, she was finally allowed onstage.
In real life
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