What it's NOT
ultimately does NOT translate to últimamente.
To say "últimamente" in English, use lately / recently.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
ultimately
Does NOT mean últimamente
It means in the end / when all is said and done
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
ultimately means in the end / when all is said and done.
Why it's confused
Spanish "últimamente" refers to recent times, what has happened in the last few days or weeks. English "ultimately" means at the end of the whole process, when all is said and done. Spanish "últimamente" in English is "lately" or "recently."
How it's pronounced
ultimatelyÁL-ti-met-li
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Examples of correct use
English
Ultimately, it's your decision.
Spanish
Al final, es tu decisión.
English
Ultimately, we chose the cheaper option.
Spanish
Finalmente, elegimos la opción más barata.
A trick to remember it
Ultimately = in the end. Recently (Spanish "últimamente") = lately.
Mini quiz
"Ultimately, they agreed" means...
Frequently asked questions
What does "ultimately" mean in English?
"Ultimately" means "in the end / when all is said and done". It looks a lot like "últimamente", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "últimamente" in English?
To say "últimamente" in English, use "lately / recently". If you use "ultimately" instead, you would actually be saying "in the end / when all is said and done".
Do "ultimately" and "últimamente" mean the same thing?
Spanish "últimamente" refers to recent times, what has happened in the last few days or weeks. English "ultimately" means at the end of the whole process, when all is said and done. Spanish "últimamente" in English is "lately" or "recently."
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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