Al final, llegamos a tiempo.

In the end, we arrived on time.

Breakdown of Al final, llegamos a tiempo.

• nosotros: we
• llegar: to arrive
• a tiempo: on time
• al final: in the end

Questions & Answers about Al final, llegamos a tiempo.

What nuance does Al final add compared with Por fin and Finalmente?

• Al final = in the end/as it turned out (a summary of the outcome, little or no emotional “relief”). Example: Al final, llegamos a tiempo.
• Por fin = finally/at last (expresses relief after waiting or difficulty). Example: Por fin llegamos.
• Finalmente = finally/eventually (more formal or written style). Example: Finalmente, llegamos a tiempo.

Is the comma after Al final required?

It’s recommended because al final is a sentence-initial connector. You will also see it without a comma (Al final llegamos a tiempo) and that’s acceptable, but the comma matches the natural pause native speakers make.

Is llegamos present or past here? How can I tell?

Llegamos can be either present (we arrive) or preterite (we arrived). Here, al final strongly suggests a completed past event, so it’s the preterite. Time markers like ayer, anoche, or the narrative context usually make it unambiguous.

Could I say Hemos llegado a tiempo instead (in Spain)?

Yes. In Spain, the present perfect (hemos llegado) is common for events within the current time frame (today/this week) or with present relevance. Llegamos sounds more narrative/past; hemos llegado highlights the current result (“we’ve arrived, and we’re on time now”). Both are fine here without an explicit time marker.

How do you conjugate llegar in the preterite? Any spelling change?

• Preterite forms: llegué, llegaste, llegó, llegamos, llegasteis, llegaron.
• Spelling note: in the yo form, g → gu (llegué) to keep the hard g sound before e.

Why a tiempo? Could I say en hora or use puntual?

• The idiomatic way is llegar a tiempo.
• En hora exists but is mainly used for scheduled services (e.g., trains: El tren llegó en hora), not for people in everyday speech.
• Puntual(es) is an adjective: Fuimos puntuales = “We were punctual.”
• Avoid en tiempo for “on time.” Note: con tiempo means “with time to spare.”

Can I move al final to the end: Llegamos a tiempo al final?

Yes, it’s possible. Sentence-initial Al final is more common and neatly frames the outcome; sentence-final al final sounds a bit more afterthought-like: “we did make it on time, in the end.” Both are correct.

What’s the difference between al final and al final de?

• Al final = “in the end” (result of a process). Example: Al final, cancelaron el viaje.
• Al final de + noun = “at the end of (something).” Example: Al final de la película, todos aplaudieron.

Do I need to say nosotros?

No. Spanish normally drops subject pronouns: llegamos already means “we arrived.” Use nosotros only for emphasis or contrast: Nosotros llegamos a tiempo, ellos no.

Any pronunciation tips for the sentence?

• ll in llegamos is usually like English y: “ye-ga-mos” in most of Spain (yeísmo).
• g before a is hard, like English g in “go”: ga.
• tiempo has a diphthong: “TYEM-po.”
• Natural rhythm has a small pause after Al final (matching the comma).

Does a tiempo mean both “on time” and “in time”?

Yes, context disambiguates:

• On time/punctual: Llegamos a tiempo a la reunión.
• In time/before it was too late: Llegamos a tiempo para evitar la multa.

Which preposition goes with llegar for places and transport?

• Destination: llegar a + lugar (arrive at/in a place). Example: Llegamos a Madrid.
• Means of transport: llegar en + medio. Example: Llegamos en tren.
• Combine them naturally: Llegamos a Madrid en tren a tiempo.