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In French, certain adjectives change their meanings depending on whether they appear before or after the noun. This is the case for the adjective "dernier".
The French adjective dernier changes meaning according to its position
As an adjective, dernier agrees in gender and number with the noun it refers to.
1. Using dernier/dernière with [time phrases]
- To express last = previous
La semaine dernière, je suis allée skier.Last week, I went skiing.
Les jours derniers, j'étais un peu malade.These last days, I was a bit ill.
On s'est mariés le mois dernier.We got married last month.
When last + [time phrase] means previous, dernier(s)/dernière(s) is placed after the noun.
- To express last = final
Pendant la dernière semaine de mes exams, je suis tombé malade.During the final week of my exams, I got sick.
Les derniers jours de l'année sont toujours plus courts.The last days of the year are always shorter.
Le dernier mois a été difficile.The last month was tough.
When last + [time phrase] means final, dernier(s)/dernière(s) is placed before the noun.
- To express these last few ...
In French, these last few days, years... is expressed as ces derniers jours, ces dernières années. Here, the meaning of the expression is "these latest days", hence dernier being placed before the noun. Note that we don't use quelques to express few.
Beaucoup de choses ont changé ces dernières années.A lot of things changed these past few years.
J'ai beaucoup révisé ces derniers mois.I studied a lot these past few months.
See also Prochain/Dernier = Next/Last + [durations] in French.
2. Using dernier/dernière + [noun]
With non time-related nouns, dernier is not used to express previous, only final or latest. Therefore, it always comes before the noun.
Les dernières hirondelles sont parties au début de l'automne.The last swallows left at the beginning of Fall.
Annabelle veut toujours avoir le dernier mot !Annabelle always wants to have the last word!
Il est en train de lire le dernier chapitre de ton roman.He is reading the last chapter of your novel.
Patrick et Marc ont adoré le dernier film de Luc Besson !Patrick and Marc loved Luc Besson's latest film!
Henri a gagné sa dernière course !Henri won his last race!
As-tu appris les dernières nouvelles ?Have you heard the latest news?
Le Jugement Dernier a lieu après la mort.The Last Judgment takes place after death.
3. Special case of la fois dernière / la dernière fois = (the) last time
- To express last time (previous)
When last time is used on its own, you can use either la fois dernière or la dernière fois interchangeably in French.
BUT
When last time is followed by a relative clause (last time that I saw you), you can only use la dernière fois, never la fois dernière.
Tu étais encore avec Stéphane la fois dernière.You were still with Stéphane last time.
Tu étais encore avec Stéphane la dernière fois.You were still with Stéphane last time.
Tu étais encore avec Stéphane la dernière fois que je t'ai vue.You were still with Stéphane last time I saw you.
- To express the last time (final)
You always use la dernière fois.
C'est la dernière fois que je t'amène avec moi !That is the last time I take you with me!
Prends-moi sur tes épaules ! -D'accord, mais c'est la dernière fois.Take me on your shoulders! -OK, but this is the last time.
See also:
Ancien = former/old (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position)
Cher= dear/expensive (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position)
Certain = specific / sure in French (adjectives that change meaning according to position)
Propre = own/clean (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position)
Vrai = real/true (French Adjectives that change meaning according to position)
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