1.
tail end; rear; very back of a line or procession
The very last position in a queue, procession, or sequence. Commonly used when referring to the end of a line of people waiting, or the rear of a group or formation.
最後尾はあちらです。
The end of the line is over there.
最後尾に並んでください。
Please line up at the end of the line.
行列の最後尾まで歩いたら、駅の角を曲がったところまで続いていた。
When I walked to the end of the line, it extended around the corner of the station.
Combines 最後 (last) and 尾 (tail). The 尾 character reinforces the image of the very tail end — beyond merely being "last" (最後), 最後尾 specifically indicates the physical end position.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 最後尾に並ぶ: to line up at the back
- 最後尾の人: the person at the very back
- 最後尾札: "end of line" sign (held by staff)
- 行列の最後尾: end of a queue
USAGE:
Very commonly seen at popular restaurants, theme parks, event venues, and shops where queues form. Staff members often hold signs reading 最後尾 to indicate where the line ends. The word carries a polite, somewhat formal register and is the standard term used in public signage.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 最後: last — refers to the final item in a sequence, but does not specifically mean the physical end of a line
- 後方: rear — indicates the back area in general, not specifically the tail end of a queue
- 末尾: end, tail — used for the end of a list or text, rarely for physical queues