最後 / 最后
zuìhòu
Last in the sense of final is 最後 / 最后 (zuìhòu) in Chinese. If unsure, use 最後 / 最后. Wiktionary also lists 最終 / 最终 (zuìzhōng).
Meaning: final (adj)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 最後 / 最后 | zuìhòu |
| 最終 / 最终 | zuìzhōng |
For last meaning most recent, as in the last time, say 最近一次 or 前一次 for the previous time.
What does it mean word for word?
最後 combines 最, most and 後, after or late, so it literally means most late.
Which one should you use?
Use 最後 for the final item in a sequence or the last person in a line. Use 最終 / 最终 (zuìzhōng) for a final result, a definite conclusion or the end outcome rather than a position in a sequence.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Before a noun, add the particle 的 after it, as in 最後的.
How do you pronounce it?
Say zuìhòu with two falling tones.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 最後 for last in the sense of endure, as in the battery lasts a long time. For that meaning use 持續 / 持续 or 延續 / 延续.
Did you know?
- The character 最 used in 最後 is a 'superlative' marker. It is used to turn any adjective into its 'most' form, similar to adding '-est' to an English word.
- The character 後 in 最後 describes both 'late' in time and 'behind' in physical space. This means that being the 'last' person in a queue is conceptually identical to being the person furthest 'back' in the line.
- The word 最後 is constructed using 最, a superlative marker that functions like the English suffix '-est'. By adding 最 to 後 ('late'), the language literally creates the word 'latest'.
Examples in context
- 我上次去电影院看了一部好电影。Last time, I went to the cinema and watched a good movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “last” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
