(さいご)

さいご
noun
last, final, end
1. last, final, end
Coming after all others in time or order.
Please eat until the end.
Do you have any questions at the end?
I cried at the end of the movie.
On the last day of the trip, we all took a photo together.
Because I didn't give up and kept at it until the end, I was able to finish all the difficult problems.

最後(さいご) means the last or final item in a sequence, or the end of something.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 最後(さいご)の〜: the last... (最後(さいご)電車(でんしゃ) = last train)
  • 最後(さいご)に: at the end, finally
  • 最後(さいご)まで: until the end
  • これが最後(さいご): this is the last (one)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 最後(さいご)まで(あきら)めない: don't give up until the end
  • 最後(さいご)最後(さいご)まで: until the very end

CONTRAST:

  • 最後(さいご): last, final ↔ 最初(さいしょ): first, beginning
  • 最後(さいご): last ↔ ()わり: end (the ending itself)

NOTE:
最後(さいご) emphasizes position in sequence. For expressing something happening "for the last time," use 最後(さいご)に〜する.