síast

Síðast is an Icelandic word that functions as both an adverb and a form of the adjective meaning “last” or “most recent” in time or sequence. It is used to indicate the final item in a series or the most recent occurrence of an event. In daily speech, síðast often appears with a finite verb to mark the last time something happened, or it can be combined with a definite form of an adjective to describe a noun as “the last” in a sequence.

Usage and forms

As an adverb, síðast can modify a verb to express the idea of completion at the end of a prior interval, as in sentences like “Ég kláraði það síðast” (I finished it last). When referring to a specific item in a sequence, Icelandic typically employs the full adjective formraí such as síðasti (masculine), síðasta (feminine/ neuter definite), or síðustu (plural definite), to mean “the last [one].” The distinction between using síðast as an adverb and the noun-adjective combination is a matter of context and what is being described.

Relation to other terms

Síðast relates to related words such as seinn/ seint (later) and næst (next), but it specifically conveys finality or recency within a past context. It is a standard element of Icelandic morphology and is understood across dialects. The word is primarily native to Icelandic usage and appears in everyday language, literature, and media.

Examples

Hún kom síðast í röðinni. (She came last in the line.)

Ég kláraði það síðast. (I finished it last.)

Síðasti dagurinn í keppninni var erfiður. (The last day of the competition was difficult.)