French Phrase
Oui, on est à la dernière étape.
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to "Yes, we are at the last step." It signifies that a process, project, or journey is nearing its completion. It conveys a sense of progress and finality, indicating that only one more stage remains.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to express that a task, project, or any multi-stage process is in its final phase. It's common in professional settings, when discussing personal goals, or even in casual conversation about something coming to an end.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oui, on est à la dernière étape.
Oui
'Oui' is the standard French word for 'yes'. It's a simple affirmation used in almost all contexts.
On
'On' is an indefinite pronoun often used in spoken French to mean 'we', 'one', or 'people in general'. It always takes the third-person singular verb conjugation, like 'il' or 'elle'.
Est (être)
'Est' is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb 'être' (to be). It agrees with 'on', even though 'on' often refers to multiple people.
À la
'À' is a preposition meaning 'at', 'to', or 'in'. 'La' is the feminine definite article 'the'. Together, 'à la' means 'at the' (feminine singular).
Dernière étape
'Dernière' is the feminine form of the adjective 'dernier' (last), agreeing with 'étape' (step/stage), which is a feminine noun. This phrase refers to the final phase of something.
🗨In Conversation
Alors, le projet est presque terminé?
So, is the project almost finished?
Oui, on est à la dernière étape.
Yes, we are at the last step.
✕Common Mistakes
Oui, nous sommes dans la dernière étape.
While 'dans' means 'in', 'à' is the correct preposition to use when referring to being 'at' a specific stage or step in a process.
Oui, on est la dernière étape.
Omitting the preposition 'à' changes the meaning from 'at the last step' to 'is the last step', which is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Oui, on est à la dernier étape.
'Étape' is a feminine noun, so the adjective 'dernier' (last) must agree in gender, becoming 'dernière'.
↔Alternatives
Oui, c'est la phase finale.
Yes, it's the final phase.
Oui, nous arrivons au bout.
Yes, we are reaching the end.
Oui, on touche au but.
Yes, we're almost there (literally: we're touching the goal).
Cultural Tip
The use of 'on' instead of 'nous' is very common in spoken French, especially in informal and semi-formal contexts. While 'nous sommes' is grammatically correct, 'on est' feels more natural and conversational. French culture often values clear communication of progress in projects, and this phrase is a straightforward way to convey that a significant milestone (the final one) has been reached.