During my classes, I’ve noticed that students often confuse finalmente, alla fine and infine. They can all be translated as “finally” or “in the end,” so they may seem interchangeable. But they have different meanings and are used in different situations.
So, let’s see what they mean and how to use them.
In short
- Finalmente = at last! You’ve been waiting for it and you’re happy: Finalmente sei arrivato!
- Alla fine = in the end, eventually; alla fine di = at the end of: Alla fine ha vinto lui.
- Infine = lastly, finally, as the last step in a list or sequence: …e infine in Comune.
| Word | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| finalmente | at last, finally | something you were waiting for finally happens (often with relief or joy) |
| alla fine | in the end, eventually | the final result of a situation, often after difficulties or changes |
| alla fine di | at the end of | the last part of a period or event: alla fine del film |
| infine | lastly, finally | the last item in a list, a sequence of actions or a speech |
Finalmente: at last!
Finalmente expresses satisfaction (or relief) because something you’ve been waiting for has finally happened. In English, it’s “at last” or “finally.” It doesn’t need any preposition.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Finalmente sei arrivato! | You’re here at last! |
| Finalmente il treno è partito! | Finally, the train left! |
| Finalmente ho trovato la casa dei miei sogni! | At last I found the house of my dreams! |
| Finalmente è venerdì! | Finally, it’s Friday! |
Alla fine: in the end
Alla fine introduces the final result of something, often after a long process, some difficulties or a change of plans. In English, it’s “in the end” or “eventually.” Followed by di + noun, it means “at the end of” or “by the end of.”
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Alla fine, dopo tanti tentativi, ha superato l’esame. | In the end, after many attempts, he passed the exam. |
| Volevamo andare al mare, ma alla fine siamo rimasti a casa. | We wanted to go to the beach, but in the end we stayed home. |
| Alla fine del film, i protagonisti si innamorano. | At the end of the movie, the main characters fall in love. |
| Alla fine della giornata sono sempre esausta. | By the end of the day I’m always exhausted. |
A related expression: alla fine dei conti or in fin dei conti means “all things considered, after all”: In fin dei conti, non è andata male. (All things considered, it didn’t go badly.)
Infine: lastly
Infine is used to introduce the last element of a list or of a sequence of events or actions. In English, it’s “lastly” or “finally” (as the last step).
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Che mattinata infernale! Sono dovuta passare prima in banca, poi alla posta, poi dal macellaio e infine in Comune per pagare una multa! | What a hellish morning! I had to stop by the bank first, then the post office, then the butcher’s and finally the town hall to pay a fine! |
| Infine, vorrei ringraziare tutti voi. | Lastly, I’d like to thank all of you. |
The most common mistake
English speakers often use finalmente for the last step of a sequence, because in English “finally” works for both. In Italian, the last step of a list is infine:
- ❌ Prima ho fatto la spesa, poi ho cucinato e finalmente ho pulito la cucina.
- ✅ Prima ho fatto la spesa, poi ho cucinato e infine ho pulito la cucina.
Use finalmente only when you’re happy that something has (at last) happened.
Exercise: finalmente, alla fine or infine?
- ______ sei arrivata! Ti aspetto da un’ora!
- Abbiamo discusso per ore, ma ______ abbiamo deciso di restare.
- Prima mescola la farina e lo zucchero, poi aggiungi le uova e ______ il latte.
- ______ del corso riceverete un certificato.
- Dopo tre anni di lavori, ______ la casa è pronta!
- Ringrazio la mia famiglia, i miei amici e ______ i miei studenti.
Show the answers
- Finalmente
- alla fine
- infine
- Alla fine
- finalmente
- infine
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between finalmente and alla fine?
Finalmente means “at last” and expresses joy or relief that something you were waiting for has happened. Alla fine means “in the end” and introduces the final result of a situation, often after difficulties.
When do you use infine in Italian?
Use infine for the last item of a list or a sequence: prima, poi, infine (first, then, lastly).
How do you say “at the end of” in Italian?
Alla fine di + noun: alla fine del film (at the end of the movie), alla fine della giornata (at the end of the day).
Finalmente, alla fine and infine are everywhere in stories, because every story has an ending! Here are three of mine to see them in context, with audio:
Due Amiche e una Bufera di Neve
Level A1/A2
Costanza and Anna get stuck in a snowstorm, with a surprise.
