You've been waiting for this moment, haven't you? That feeling of relief when something you've anticipated finally happens! In French, expressing "finally" goes beyond just one word. While you might know a common phrase or two, there are actually many nuanced ways to convey this sense of completion, relief, or long-awaited arrival. Let's dive into 9 different ways to say "finally" in French, so you can pick the perfect expression for any situation!

The most common 'finally' or 'at last' – enfin

The most common “finally” or “at last” – enfin

Enfin is a highly versatile French adverb, most commonly translating to “finally” or “at last” in English. It's an essential word for expressing completion, relief, or even subtle shifts in thought.

Its primary use is to indicate the culmination of an action, event, or a long wait. When used this way, enfin often carries a sense of relief or satisfaction that something is over or has happened.

Beyond simple completion, enfin can also convey a feeling of impatience or exasperation, especially when something has taken longer than expected or is being done reluctantly. It often implies 'it's about time!'

A crucial nuance of enfin is its ability to correct or clarify a previous statement. In this context, it functions much like 'well,' 'I mean,' or 'that is to say' in English, introducing a rephrasing or a more precise detail.

Enfin can also serve to emphasize a point, introduce a summary, or express resignation. Here, it’s akin to phrases like 'in short,' 'after all,' or 'anyway,' often appearing at the beginning of a clause or thought.

As an adverb, enfin typically precedes the verb in simple tenses (e.g., j'ai enfin compris) or the auxiliary verb in compound tenses (e.g., elle est enfin arrivée). However, for strong emphasis or when acting as a conjunction, it can also begin a sentence or phrase.

While often interchangeable with finalement (also 'finally'), enfin tends to carry a stronger emotional charge or implies a longer wait or greater effort. Finalement is often more factual about the outcome, whereas enfin can express the speaker's feeling about it.

You'll frequently encounter enfin in common expressions that highlight its conversational flexibility, such as enfin bon (well, anyway, oh well) or enfin quoi (I mean, seriously, what on earth?!), adding a natural touch to speech.

Given its wide array of meanings—from simple 'finally' to expressing nuanced emotions or logical connections—understanding the surrounding context is absolutely paramount to correctly interpreting enfin in any given situation. Pay attention to tone and surrounding words!

💡 * Enfin ! Te voilà !

• J'ai enfin terminé mon rapport.
• Il est très intelligent, enfin, il l'était.
• Elle a décidé de partir, enfin, c'est sa décision.
• On a attendu des heures, enfin, ça valait le coup.

The 'ultimately' or 'in the end' – finalement

The French adverb finalement is a versatile word that translates to 'finally,' 'ultimately,' 'in the end,' or 'eventually' in English. It's crucial for expressing outcomes and conclusions.

Finalement is most commonly used to indicate the ultimate result or conclusion of a series of events, decisions, or a process that has involved some delay or deliberation. It signifies what happened after everything else.

Beyond just a simple conclusion, finalement can also convey a sense of contrast or surprise, suggesting that the final outcome is different from what was initially expected or planned. It implies a change of mind or an unforeseen turn of events.

While similar to enfin ('at last,' often with relief or impatience) and à la fin ('at the end' of a specific period or item), finalement typically carries a more conclusive and summarizing tone about the overall result of a situation. It focuses on the result rather than just the timing.

In a sentence, finalement is quite flexible. It can often be placed at the beginning of a clause, or after the conjugated verb in simple tenses, and usually after the auxiliary verb in compound tenses (e.g., J'ai finalement décidé...).

This adverb is very common in everyday French conversation and writing. Mastering finalement will significantly enhance your ability to express complex sequences of events and their resolutions, making your French sound more natural and sophisticated.

💡 * Nous avons attendu des heures, et finalement, le train est arrivé. (We waited for hours, and ultimately, the train arrived.)

• Il a essayé plusieurs métiers, mais finalement, il est devenu professeur. (He tried several jobs, but in the end, he became a teacher.)
• Je pensais y aller, mais finalement, j'ai décidé de rester à la maison. (I thought I would go, but ultimately, I decided to stay home.)
• Ils se sont disputés longtemps, mais finalement, ils se sont mis d'accord. (They argued for a long time, but in the end, they agreed.)
• Le projet était difficile, mais finalement, nous avons réussi. (The project was difficult, but ultimately, we succeeded.)

The 'to conclude' (often in a list) – pour finir

When you need to signal the end of a list, an argument, or simply want to say 'to conclude' in French, the phrase pour finir is an excellent choice.

Literally meaning 'to finish' or 'for finishing,' pour finir is predominantly used to convey 'to conclude,' 'finally,' or 'lastly' when presenting sequential information.

You'll frequently encounter pour finir at the end of lists, discussions, or instructions, serving as a clear indicator that the final point or action is being introduced.

This phrase is an infinitive construction, with pour ('for' or 'to') followed by the infinitive verb finir ('to finish'). It functions as an adverbial phrase, setting the stage for a concluding statement.

Its nuance is less about the mere act of ending and more about bringing something to a close or presenting the ultimate item in a series, providing a sense of finality to the preceding points.

While other words like enfin or finalement also mean 'finally,' pour finir specifically emphasizes the conclusion of a sequence, making it ideal for wrapping up structured thoughts.

💡 * D'abord, mélangez les ingrédients; ensuite, laissez reposer; et pour finir, faites cuire. (First, mix the ingredients; then, let it rest; and to conclude, cook it.)* J'ai trois points à aborder: premièrement, le budget; deuxièmement, le calendrier; et pour finir, les prochaines étapes. (I have three points to address: firstly, the budget; secondly, the schedule; and to conclude, the next steps.)* Pour finir, je voudrais remercier tout le monde pour leur participation. (To conclude, I would like to thank everyone for their participation.)* Qu'est-ce que tu veux faire pour finir la soirée? (What do you want to do to finish the evening?)

The 'when all is said and done' – en fin de compte

The phrase en fin de compte translates literally to 'in the end of the count' but is best understood as 'when all is said and done,' 'ultimately,' 'in the final analysis,' or 'at the end of the day.'

It is used to introduce a conclusion, a final result, or a summary after considering various factors or arguments. It implies a synthesis of previous points, often highlighting what truly matters or what the final outcome is.

As an adverbial phrase, en fin de compte is invariable, meaning it doesn't change form based on gender or number. It can be placed at the beginning or within a sentence, typically followed by a comma when introducing a clause.

Other phrases with similar meanings include finalement (finally), en définitive (definitively), tout compte fait (all things considered), or au bout du compte (at the end of the count, less common).

💡 *On a essayé plusieurs solutions, mais en fin de compte, rien n'a marché. (We tried several solutions, but ultimately, nothing worked.)
*Il a hésité longtemps, mais en fin de compte, il a décidé de partir. (He hesitated for a long time, but in the end, he decided to leave.)
*Le projet semblait compliqué, mais en fin de compte, tout s'est bien passé. (The project seemed complicated, but when all was said and done, everything went well.)
*Elle voulait acheter une nouvelle voiture, mais en fin de compte, elle a gardé l'ancienne. (She wanted to buy a new car, but ultimately, she kept the old one.)

The 'at the end' (of a process or period) – à la fin

The 'at the end' (of a process or period) – à la fin

À la fin is a common French phrase that translates directly to 'at the end' or 'in the end.' It signifies the conclusion of a specific period, process, or event.

This phrase is used to mark the culmination or completion of something, whether it's a day, a project, a story, or a journey. It emphasizes the final stage.

It's important not to confuse à la fin with enfin. While both relate to an end, enfin often means 'finally' or 'at last' and can express relief or impatience, whereas à la fin is purely about chronological or sequential conclusion.

Beyond just a temporal end, à la fin can also refer to the outcome or result after a series of events or considerations, much like 'ultimately' or 'eventually' in English.

Use à la fin when you want to explicitly state that something is happening at the conclusion of a defined period or process, or to describe the final result.

💡 * À la fin de la journée, nous étions épuisés. (At the end of the day, we were exhausted.)

• Le projet sera terminé à la fin du mois. (The project will be finished at the end of the month.)
• À la fin, tout s'est bien passé. (In the end, everything went well.)
• Il a réussi son examen à la fin de ses études. (He passed his exam at the end of his studies.)
• À la fin de l'histoire, le héros a trouvé la paix. (At the end of the story, the hero found peace.)

The informal 'in the end' – au final

The French phrase au final is a very common, informal way to say “in the end,” “ultimately,” or “after all.” It’s a staple of everyday spoken French and informal writing.

While standard alternatives like finalement (finally, ultimately) and en fin de compte (when all is said and done, in the end) are always correct, au final carries a more conversational and often conclusive tone, summarizing an outcome after a process or series of events.

You'll hear au final frequently in casual conversations, text messages, and informal emails. It's less common in formal documents, academic papers, or official speeches, where finalement or en fin de compte would be preferred.

Au final often implies a conclusion that is reached after some consideration, effort, or even a surprising turn of events. It can sometimes carry a slight nuance of resignation or a slightly unexpected result. Think of it as summarizing the net result.

To sound natural in casual French, feel free to use au final. However, when in doubt, or in more formal settings, it's safer to stick to finalement or en fin de compte to maintain a more formal or neutral register.

💡 * On a cherché partout, et au final, les clés étaient sur la table. (We looked everywhere, and in the end, the keys were on the table.)

• Il a beaucoup hésité, mais au final, il a choisi de partir. (He hesitated a lot, but ultimately, he chose to leave.)
• J'ai passé la journée à travailler, et au final, je n'ai pas fini. (I spent the day working, and in the end, I didn't finish.)
• Ils ont eu des difficultés, mais au final, tout s'est bien passé. (They had difficulties, but in the end, everything went well.)

The formal 'ultimately' or 'in conclusion' – en définitive

The French phrase en définitive serves as a formal adverbial expression, best translated as 'ultimately,' 'in conclusion,' 'in the end,' or 'definitively.' It signals a final thought or a conclusive summary of a discussion or argument.

You'll typically encounter en définitive in more formal writing or speech, such as academic papers, official reports, or serious discussions. It's used to present the final outcome, the essential point, or the definitive judgment after considering various factors.

While similar to finalement ('finally'), en définitive carries a stronger sense of finality and decisiveness. Finalement often indicates a sequence of events or a simple outcome, whereas en définitive implies a summary or a conclusive statement that wraps up a complex analysis.

💡 * En définitive, la décision a été prise de reporter le projet. (Ultimately, the decision was made to postpone the project.)

• Après mûre réflexion, en définitive, c'est la meilleure solution. (After careful consideration, in conclusion, it's the best solution.)
• Tous les éléments examinés, en définitive, il est clair que la stratégie doit être ajustée. (All elements examined, ultimately, it is clear that the strategy must be adjusted.)
• Le débat a été long et passionné, mais en définitive, un consensus a été trouvé. (The debate was long and passionate, but in the end, a consensus was found.)
• En définitive, l'impact environnemental du projet est jugé acceptable. (Ultimately, the environmental impact of the project is deemed acceptable.)

The 'lastly' or 'in the last place' – en dernier lieu

The phrase en dernier lieu translates to “lastly” or “in the last place,” indicating the final item in a sequence or a concluding point.

En dernier lieu is a formal expression used to denote the final position in an ordered list, a series of actions, or a sequence of importance. It emphasizes that something comes after everything else.

While similar to finalement (finally) or pour finir (to conclude), en dernier lieu often carries a slightly more formal tone and is particularly useful when enumerating points or steps, giving a sense of definitive closure to the sequence.

You will often encounter en dernier lieu in written texts, official documents, or formal speeches where precision in ordering information is important.

💡 * Pour préparer ce plat, il faut d'abord couper les légumes, ensuite faire revenir la viande, et en dernier lieu, ajouter la sauce.

• Nous avons examiné plusieurs options et, en dernier lieu, nous avons choisi la proposition la plus économique.
• L'ordre du jour comprenait la lecture du procès-verbal, la discussion des nouveaux projets, et en dernier lieu, les questions diverses.
• Il a pris la parole après tous les autres intervenants, en dernier lieu.

The 'to conclude' (more formal than 'pour finir') – pour conclure

When you want to say “to conclude” in French, especially in a more formal context, the phrase you're looking for is pour conclure. This expression directly translates to “to conclude” or “in conclusion” and is widely used in academic, professional, or public speaking settings.

While pour finir also means “to finish” or “to end,” pour conclure carries a distinctly more formal and definitive tone. Pour finir can be used in everyday conversation to simply mark the end of a list or an action, whereas pour conclure is reserved for summarizing arguments, presenting final thoughts, or closing a formal discourse.

Pour conclure is typically placed at the beginning of a sentence or a paragraph that serves as a summary or final statement. It signals to the listener or reader that the main points have been covered and a final thought or resolution is about to be presented. It's often followed by a comma.

A very close synonym that you will often encounter is en conclusion. Both pour conclure and en conclusion are interchangeable in most formal contexts, serving the same purpose of introducing a concluding remark. For instance, you could say En conclusion, nous devons agir instead of Pour conclure, nous devons agir.

💡 *Pour conclure, je voudrais remercier tous les participants.
*Pour conclure, il est essentiel de souligner l'importance de la coopération internationale.
*Nous avons examiné les données; pour conclure, les résultats sont prometteurs.
*Pour conclure, il apparaît clairement que des mesures urgentes sont nécessaires.

Are there other ways to say 'finally' in French?

Are there other ways to say “finally” in French?

Our list features the most common and versatile ways to say “finally” in French. However, the French language is rich with nuances, and you might encounter other terms, from more formal expressions to regional variations or even emerging slang.

To explore further, you can always do an online search for “comment dire enfin en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region to see local usage.

You might find some interesting synonyms or alternative phrases for enfin on various lists. As always, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before incorporating it into your vocabulary.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to express the idea of 'finally' or 'at last' in various situations.

For a comprehensive look at enfin and its related expressions, the WordReference entry for enfin is an excellent starting point, offering many examples and nuances.

I hope this article has finally clarified the different ways to say “finally” in French for you! Mastering these expressions will certainly enhance your fluency. As the French proverb says: Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre (All things come to him who waits).