Meaning and Usage
The word '최종' means 'last' or 'final' and is used to indicate the ultimate stage or conclusion of a process or event. It is often used in formal or official contexts such as exams, results, decisions, or stages in a procedure.
Common Collocations
- 최종 결과 (final result): used when referring to the last outcome after all evaluations.
- 최종 시험 (final exam): the last exam in a course or program.
- 최종 결정 (final decision): the ultimate decision after discussion or consideration.
Usage Notes
'최종' is typically placed before a noun to specify that it is the last or conclusive one. It is a formal term and commonly found in written and spoken Korean in academic, business, or official settings.
A common learner mistake is confusing '최종' with '마지막'. While both can mean 'final', '마지막' is more general and used in everyday speech, whereas '최종' carries a more formal or official nuance.
Summary
Use '최종' when you want to emphasize the finality or conclusive nature of something, especially in formal contexts. Pair it with nouns like 결과, 시험, 결정 to talk about final results, exams, or decisions.