ultimul

Ultimul is a Romanian adjective used to indicate position in a sequence or the most recent item in a set. It means the final or most recent one, as in phrases like ultmul episod (the last episode) or ultimul venit (the most recent arrival). The word is commonly used in everyday speech, journalism, and literature to denote order, precedence, or recency.

Etymology and related forms: Ultimul derives from Latin ultimus, meaning farthest or last, and is cognate with other Romance language terms such as Italian ultimo, Spanish último, and French ultime. In Romanian, the form changes according to gender and number in standard adjective agreement, so variants appear to match the noun they describe.

Grammar and usage: As with most adjectives in Romanian, ul timpul evolves with the noun it modifies. The definite-article form is typically used in direct reference to a specific item, for example the last item in a known group. It can appear in different syntactic positions, including before the noun or after a determiner in certain constructions. Common collocations include ultimu episod, ultimul an, and ultimul dintre ei, illustrating its role in signaling finality or recency.

Cultural and semantic notes: In Romanian media and writing, ul timul often conveys urgency or importance, especially when contrasting with other items (e.g., primul, al doilea). It can also imply a sense of completion in a sequence, such as the last installment of a series or the most recent development in a story. While primarily a descriptive term, its use can shape emphasis in narratives and reports.

See also: primul, ultim, ultimativ.