letztens

Letztens is a German adverb meaning “the other day” or “recently.” It refers to a past event that happened not long ago and is typically used in informal or spoken language. For example: “Ich habe letztens einen alten Freund getroffen.” In meaning and nuance it is close to neulich or vor Kurzem, though letztens usually points to a single event rather than a broader time frame.

Etymology and relation to other expressions: Letztens is formed from zuletzt and the adverbial suffix -ens, functioning as an informal way to indicate a recently occurred event. It is related to, but distinct from, zuletzt, which can mean “last in a sequence” or “finally” and may carry a different emphasis or formality. Another common alternative with a similar sense is in letzter Zeit, which translates more to “lately” or “in recent times” and can denote a broader time span.

Usage notes: Because letztens is colloquial, it is more appropriate in everyday conversation and informal writing than in formal journalism or academic prose. If the speaker intends a general sense of recency over a period of time, in letzter Zeit is often preferable. Neulich is a close synonym and can be used interchangeably in many contexts, though regional and stylistic preferences may vary.

See also: neulich, in letzter Zeit, vor Kurzem, zuletzt. These terms offer nuances of time reference ranging from a single recent event to a broader recent period.