最終(さいしゅう)

最終(さいしゅう) means the very last in a sequence or process. Used as a no-adjective to modify nouns.

WORD FORMATION:
最(さい) (most) + 終(しゅう) (end)

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

• 最終(さいしゅう)電車(でんしゃ): last train (often called 終電(しゅうでん))
• 最終(さいしゅう)便(びん): last flight/bus
• 最終(さいしゅう)回(かい): final episode (of a TV series)
• 最終(さいしゅう)決定(けってい): final decision
• 最終(さいしゅう)段階(だんかい): final stage
• 最終(さいしゅう)目標(もくひょう): ultimate goal

CONTRAST:

• 最終(さいしゅう): last in a defined sequence (the final train, episode, round)
• 最後(さいご): last in general (can be more dramatic: "the last time we met")
• 終(お)わりの: pertaining to the end (more general)

NOTE:
最終(さいしゅう)電車(でんしゃ) (last train) is a culturally important concept in Japan, as missing it often means taking an expensive taxi or waiting until morning.