In 15 Seconds
- Escaping the very last position.
- Expresses relief, not necessarily victory.
- Used in informal contexts like games.
- Means 'no longer in last place'.
Meaning
This phrase is your little victory dance when you've finally climbed out of last place! It's that sweet relief of not being the absolute worst anymore, whether in a game, a competition, or even just a messy group project. It’s the feeling of, 'Okay, I can breathe now!'
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a race
J'étais dernier, mais j'ai dépassé Paul ! Je suis plus dernier !
I was last, but I passed Paul! I'm no longer last!
Instagram caption for a game tournament
Round 2 done. Survived the cut! Enfin plus dernier. 😉 #gamerlife #notlast
Round 2 done. Survived the cut! Finally no longer last. 😉 #gamerlife #notlast
Discussing a ranking of characters in a TV show
Okay, so maybe my favorite character is still pretty bad, but at least he's not as awful as that new one. Je suis plus dernier dans mon classement perso !
Okay, so maybe my favorite character is still pretty bad, but at least he's not as awful as that new one. I'm no longer last in my personal ranking!
Cultural Background
The 'Lanterne Rouge' is the last rider in the Tour de France. While it's a position people want to escape (to be 'plus dernier'), it's also celebrated by fans for the rider's perseverance. French schools traditionally rank students. Being 'le dernier de la classe' is a common trope in literature and film (like 'Le Petit Nicolas'). Escaping this spot is a major milestone for a struggling student. In Quebec, the phrase is used similarly, but you might also hear 'plus en queue' (no longer at the tail). The informal 'plus' is very common in Montreal's fast-paced speech. Belgian French speakers use 'plus dernier' frequently in sports, especially football. The sense of self-deprecating humor is very strong in Belgian culture.
The Silent S
Never pronounce the 's' in 'plus' when you mean 'no longer'. If you say /plys/, it sounds like you are adding more 'lastness'!
Use 'Enfin'
Adding 'Enfin' (Finally) before 'plus dernier' makes you sound much more native and expresses the relief perfectly.
In 15 Seconds
- Escaping the very last position.
- Expresses relief, not necessarily victory.
- Used in informal contexts like games.
- Means 'no longer in last place'.
What It Means
Imagine you're playing a board game, and you've been stuck in the dreaded last position for ages. Suddenly, someone else makes a mistake, and poof! You're no longer the caboose. That's the feeling of plus dernier. It's not about being *good*, necessarily, just about *not being the worst*. It’s a small win, a sigh of relief, a moment where you can finally stop feeling like the ultimate underdog. Think of it as escaping the 'penalty box' of last place. It’s a very human emotion, that bit of pride in not being at the absolute bottom, even if you're still not winning.
How To Use It
You use plus dernier when you've moved up from the very last spot in any kind of ranking or sequence. It's super common in informal chats, especially when talking about games, sports, or even silly things like who has the messiest desk. It’s about the transition from being last to being *not* last. You can use it to express your own relief or to comment on someone else's situation. It’s a very direct way to say, 'I'm out of the cellar!'
Real-Life Examples
- In a video game: "Yes! I finally passed that noob, I'm
plus dernier!" - In a class ranking: "Thank goodness, someone else failed the quiz even harder. I'm
plus derniernow." - Discussing a TV show's worst character: "Well, at least now that other character is even worse. I'm
plus dernierin my 'least favorite' list." - During a race: "Phew, I overtook that slowpoke. I'm
plus dernier!"
When To Use It
Use plus dernier when the context is clearly about a ranking, order, or sequence where there's a defined 'last' position. This could be:
- Competitions: Races, games, quizzes, challenges.
- Rankings: Lists of best/worst, league tables, popularity charts.
- Progress: Moving up from the bottom in a series of tasks or steps.
- Any situation where being 'last' carries a negative connotation and you've just escaped it. It's that moment of 'whew!'
When NOT To Use It
Don't use plus dernier if you've simply improved but aren't moving *out* of the last spot. If you were last and are now second-to-last, you are *still* last if there are only two people. It specifically means moving *from* the absolute bottom. Also, avoid it in very formal settings like a business report or a serious academic paper. It's too casual and a bit too focused on a 'win' that's really just avoiding defeat. It's not for situations where 'last' isn't a bad thing, like the 'last' item on a menu you're excited about.
Common Mistakes
Using plus dernier incorrectly often involves confusion about what 'last' actually means or using it when a different expression is more fitting. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole – it just doesn't feel right.
✗ Je suis plus dernier. (When you've only moved up one spot but are still last in a group of 3)
✓ Je ne suis plus dernier. (This means 'I am no longer last', which is the correct sentiment if you've moved up)
✗ Il est plus dernier que moi. (Meaning 'He is more last than me' - grammatically awkward and confusing)
✓ Il est arrivé après moi. (Meaning 'He arrived after me', if you want to say someone is behind you)
✗ C'est le plus dernier livre. (Meaning 'It's the most last book' - this tries to use dernier as a superlative adjective for 'latest', which isn't how it works)
✓ C'est le dernier livre. (Meaning 'It's the last book' or 'It's the latest book', depending on context)
Similar Expressions
Ne plus être le dernier: This is the most direct synonym, meaning 'to no longer be the last'. It's slightly more formal thanplus dernier.Sortir du lot: Means 'to stand out from the crowd'. It's about being noticed, not necessarily escaping last place, but it can sometimes overlap if you're escaping notice for being the worst.Remonter la pente: Means 'to turn a corner' or 'to improve after a bad period'. This is broader than just escaping last place.Être mieux placé: Means 'to be better placed' or 'to be in a higher position'. This is a more general improvement.
Common Variations
Je ne suis plus dernier !: The most common way you'll hear it, emphasizing the relief. Thene ... plusstructure is standard French negation for 'no longer'.On est plus dernier !: Used when talking about a group achievement ('We are no longer last!').Enfin plus dernier !: Adding 'Enfin' (Finally!) really amplifies the feeling of relief.
Memory Trick
Picture a race car driver, 'Max', who's been trailing way behind. Suddenly, he zooms past another car. He yells into his helmet, "Max! Plus dernier!" (Max! No longer last!). The name 'Max' sounds a bit like 'más' (more in Spanish, often associated with winning) and 'dernier' is the key word. Imagine him saying, "More? No! No more last place!" It’s a silly image, but it sticks!
Quick FAQ
- Is
plus dernierformal or informal?
It's definitely informal. You'd use it with friends, not in a business meeting.
- Does it mean I'm now in first place?
No, not at all! It just means you're not in the absolute last position anymore. You could still be second-to-last!
- Can I use it for anything?
Yes, pretty much any situation with a ranking, from games to silly social media challenges. Just keep it informal!
Real Conversations
Speaker 1: "How's the game going?"
Speaker 2: "Ugh, I was doing terribly. But I just passed Sarah! I'm plus dernier now!"
Speaker 1: "Nice! Small victories, right?"
Speaker 2: "Exactly!"
This phrase captures that universal feeling of wanting to escape the bottom. It's relatable and adds a touch of humor to situations where you're just trying not to be the absolute worst. It’s a little linguistic high-five to yourself when you’ve dodged a bullet!
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly informal and should be reserved for casual conversations among friends, family, or peers, especially in contexts like games or lighthearted competitions. Using 'ne...plus dernier' is the more standard grammatical form, while 'plus dernier' omits the 'ne' for brevity and a more relaxed feel.
The Silent S
Never pronounce the 's' in 'plus' when you mean 'no longer'. If you say /plys/, it sounds like you are adding more 'lastness'!
Use 'Enfin'
Adding 'Enfin' (Finally) before 'plus dernier' makes you sound much more native and expresses the relief perfectly.
Gender Matters
If you are a woman, always say 'dernière'. It’s a small detail that shows high-level grammar awareness.
Examples
12J'étais dernier, mais j'ai dépassé Paul ! Je suis plus dernier !
I was last, but I passed Paul! I'm no longer last!
Emphasizes the joy of moving up from the absolute bottom spot.
Round 2 done. Survived the cut! Enfin plus dernier. 😉 #gamerlife #notlast
Round 2 done. Survived the cut! Finally no longer last. 😉 #gamerlife #notlast
Uses 'Enfin' (Finally) to show relief and adds an emoji for a casual vibe.
Okay, so maybe my favorite character is still pretty bad, but at least he's not as awful as that new one. Je suis plus dernier dans mon classement perso !
Okay, so maybe my favorite character is still pretty bad, but at least he's not as awful as that new one. I'm no longer last in my personal ranking!
Applies the phrase to a subjective ranking, highlighting personal relief.
Je voulais vous remercier pour l'opportunité. Bien que je ne sois pas retenu pour ce poste, j'espère que ma candidature reste considérée pour d'autres rôles.
I wanted to thank you for the opportunity. Although I was not selected for this position, I hope my application remains under consideration for other roles.
This is an example of where NOT to use 'plus dernier'. The formal context requires a different expression.
Ah super, j'ai eu 7/10 ! Je ne suis plus dernier de la classe. Pfiou !
Ah great, I got 7/10! I'm no longer last in the class. Phew!
Shows relief after improving one's position in a class ranking.
My cake looked like a disaster zone, but seeing this video... I'm officially plus dernier! 😂 #cookingfail
My cake looked like a disaster zone, but seeing this video... I'm officially no longer last! 😂 #cookingfail
Humorous use, comparing one's own failure to others and finding comfort in not being the absolute worst.
This climb is brutal! I thought I was going to be the last one up, but someone just fell behind. So, I guess I'm... plus dernier?
This climb is brutal! I thought I was going to be the last one up, but someone just fell behind. So, I guess I'm... no longer last?
Expresses the feeling of relief, even if the overall situation is still challenging.
✗ C'est le plus dernier film que j'ai vu.
✗ It's the most last film I've seen.
Incorrect use of 'dernier'. 'Dernier' means 'last' or 'latest' but isn't typically intensified with 'plus' in this way for 'latest'.
✗ J'étais dernier, maintenant je suis plus dernier.
✗ I was last, now I am more last.
The phrase needs the negation 'ne...plus' to mean 'no longer'. Without it, 'plus dernier' is grammatically awkward and contextually confusing.
L'équipe B a perdu, donc on est plus dernier au classement général maintenant.
Team B lost, so we are no longer last in the general standings now.
Applies to a team context, showing group relief.
My productivity was zero last week, but I finished a major task today. Je suis plus dernier dans ma to-do list !
My productivity was zero last week, but I finished a major task today. I'm no longer last on my to-do list!
Relates to personal progress and feeling better about one's own pace.
This app's delivery time estimates are always terrible. I waited an hour! But at least the restaurant next door is even slower. Je suis plus dernier !
This app's delivery time estimates are always terrible. I waited an hour! But at least the restaurant next door is even slower. I'm no longer last!
Humorous application to a frustrating common experience, finding solace in relative 'success'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'dernier' or 'dernière'.
Marie est contente, elle n'est plus ________.
Marie is feminine, so we must use the feminine form 'dernière'.
Which sentence is the most natural for a casual game with friends?
You just moved from 10th place to 9th place.
In casual speech, dropping the 'ne' and using 'plus dernier' is the most natural way to express this relief.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Alors, ton score au test ? B: J'ai eu 10/20. C'est pas super, mais au moins je ________.
The context 'au moins' (at least) suggests a small victory like not being last.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'Enfin plus dernier !'
The phrase specifically denotes the moment you leave the last position.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMarie est contente, elle n'est plus ________.
Marie is feminine, so we must use the feminine form 'dernière'.
You just moved from 10th place to 9th place.
In casual speech, dropping the 'ne' and using 'plus dernier' is the most natural way to express this relief.
A: Alors, ton score au test ? B: J'ai eu 10/20. C'est pas super, mais au moins je ________.
The context 'au moins' (at least) suggests a small victory like not being last.
Match 'Enfin plus dernier !'
The phrase specifically denotes the moment you leave the last position.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt's better to be more formal. Say 'J'ai amélioré mes performances' or 'Je ne suis plus en fin de classement'.
In spoken French, 'ne' is dropped for speed. It's very common in all informal and neutral conversations.
Not exactly. 'Plus dernier' means you are anything *except* last. 'Avant-dernier' means you are specifically second to last.
It sounds like /dɛʁ.njɛʁ/. The 'e' at the end makes the 'r' audible, unlike in the masculine 'dernier'.
No, 'plus dernier' is for rankings. For 'no longer the last time', you would use different phrasing.
Related Phrases
avant-dernier
builds onSecond to last
remonter la pente
similarTo get back on track / to improve
sortir de l'ornière
similarTo get out of a rut
être à la traîne
contrastTo be lagging behind
