Meaning and Usage
"마지막" means "last" or "final" and is used to indicate the end of a sequence or the final item in a series. It can describe time (like the last day or last bus), order (the last person), or events (the final exam).
Common Collocations
- 마지막 버스 (last bus): used when talking about the final bus of the day.
- 마지막 시험 (final exam): refers to the last test in a course.
- 마지막 순간 (last moment): emphasizes the very end of a time period.
- 마지막으로 (lastly, finally): used to introduce the last point or action.
Usage Notes
"마지막" is often used with nouns to specify the final one. When combined with "으로" as in "마지막으로," it functions as an adverb meaning "lastly" or "finally." This is common in speeches or when listing points.
Be careful not to confuse "마지막" with "끝" which means "end" but can be more abstract or refer to the conclusion of something rather than the last item.
Register and Politeness
"마지막" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is common in everyday conversation, writing, and formal speeches.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes omit "마지막" when they want to emphasize the finality of something, but using it clarifies that you are referring to the very last item or moment, not just an ending in general.