finalmente

Finalmente is a common adverb in several Romance languages, most notably Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. It conveys the sense of conclusion, culmination, or relief after a process, delay, or series of events. In each language it functions to indicate that something has reached its end or a desired outcome.

Etymology and general note: The word derives from the root related to “end” or “final,” combined with the adverbial suffix -mente. In Italian, the form is finale + mente, while in Spanish and Portuguese it is final + mente. The basic meaning—“at last,” “in the end,” or “finally”—is shared across these languages, though nuances and register can vary by context.

Italian usage: In Italian, finalmente is widely used to signal a conclusion after an effort or to introduce a resolved situation. It can appear at the beginning or within a sentence. Example: Finalmente siamo arrivati. It is more formal or neutral than some colloquial alternatives and is common in both spoken and written language.

Spanish usage: In Spanish, finalmente also means “at last” or “in the end,” and is used to wrap up a narrative or argument. It can introduce a conclusion or a culmination of a sequence. Example: Finalmente, todo salió bien. It is flexible for formal and informal discourse; synonyms include por fin and al fin, depending on tone and region.

Portuguese usage: In Portuguese, finalmente carries the same core meaning and is used similarly to Spanish and Italian. It often appears at the start of a concluding clause or sentence. Example: Finalmente chegou a notícia que esperávamos. In everyday speech, por fim or enfim may be preferred in some contexts.

See also: infine (Italian), por fin (Spanish), por fim (Portuguese). These terms offer stylistic alternatives with similar meanings.