last
/lɑːst/ (bre, ipa) · [lˈæst] /læst/ (ame, ipa) · [lˈæst] /ˈlast/ (ame, mw)
last — 形容詞
- lastpositive
- lastercomparative
- lastestsuperlative
1. used for whoever or whatever stands furthest back in a line, list, or time seque
最後的
在順序、位置或時間上最末
used for whoever or whatever stands furthest back in a line, list, or time sequence.
Christopher was the last runner to cross the bridge before sunset.
Christopher 是在日落前最後一個跑過那座橋的人。
the last + noun + to-infinitive
Liang stood in the last row because every front seat was taken.
因為前排座位都滿了，Liang 站在最後一排。
Our name was the last one on the list outside the studio.
我們的名字是工作室外名單上的最後一個。
The final guest reached the farmhouse, and Aylin opened the last door.
最後一位客人走到農舍時，Aylin 打開了最後一道門。
文法句型
the last + noun + to-infinitive
the last row
the last name on the list
用法筆記
Often appears before a noun or after be. Distinguish this sense from adjective sense 6, which focuses on something remaining after the others are gone.
2. used in the phrase 'at last' when something happens only after a long wait or de
終於
經過久等後才發生
used in the phrase 'at last' when something happens only after a long wait or delay.
At last, the clinic called with an appointment for next Tuesday.
終於，診所打電話來，約了下週二的門診。
fixed phrase: at last, + clause
At long last, the blocked road reopened after the mountain storm.
等了很久後，遭山暴封住的道路終於重新開放了。
The crowd cheered at last when the singer stepped onto the stage.
歌手踏上舞台時，人群終於歡呼了起來。
After six interviews, Manuela heard at last that the job was hers.
面試了六次後，Manuela 終於聽到這份工作是她的。
文法句型
at last, + clause
hear at last that...
arrive at last
用法筆記
This sense is mainly tied to the set phrase 'at last'. It does not simply mean 'latest'; it adds the idea of relief after waiting.
3. used for someone or something you would expect least, want least, or choose only
最不想要
最不會被期待或選中的
used for someone or something you would expect least, want least, or choose only with strong reluctance.
A loan is the last thing this family needs before moving day.
搬家前，這家人最不想要的就是再背一筆貸款。
the last thing + clause
Kwame was the last person I expected to cancel without warning.
Kwame 是我最想不到會無預警取消的人。
the last person I expected
Cold soup was the last meal the tired workers wanted that night.
對疲累的工人來說，那晚最不想吃的就是冷湯。
That narrow path is the last route I would choose in rain.
下雨時，那條狹窄的小路是我最不想選的路線。
文法句型
the last thing + clause
the last person + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Often appears with thing, person, or place to stress strong unwillingness or surprise. Distinguish it from sense 8, which is about rank rather than preference.
4. used in fixed expressions for the latest point of the day, especially just befor
當天最晚
在一天裡最晚的時間
used in fixed expressions for the latest point of the day, especially just before going to bed.
Mina checks the oven last thing before she goes upstairs to bed.
Mina 上樓睡覺前，總會在當天最晚時再檢查一次烤箱。
fixed phrase: last thing before bed
Please email the file last thing tonight, not during dinner.
請在今晚最晚的時候寄出那份檔案，不要等到晚餐時。
last thing tonight
The caretaker locks the back gate last thing every evening.
管理員每天傍晚都在當天最晚時鎖上後門。
Naoko watered the balcony plants last thing after washing the dishes.
Naoko 洗完碗後，會在當天最晚時替陽台植物澆水。
文法句型
last thing tonight
do something last thing before bed
用法筆記
Usually appears in phrases such as 'last thing tonight' or 'last thing before bed'. It points to timing inside a day, not to order in a race or list.
5. used when you state that an action will not be repeated in the future.
最後一次
表示以後不再做某事
used when you state that an action will not be repeated in the future.
Forget it, that is the last time I lend Rui my bike.
算了吧，這是我最後一次把腳踏車借給 Rui。
that's the last time I...
After the missed pickup, it was the last time our shop used that courier.
那次漏接貨之後，就是我們店最後一次用那家快遞。
One more lie and this will be the last time we meet here.
你再說一次謊，這就會是我們最後一次在這裡見面。
The manager arrived late again, so it was the last time I stayed after closing.
經理又遲到了，所以那是我最後一次為他留到打烊後。
文法句型
that's the last time I...
it was the last time we...
用法筆記
This sense often sounds firm or annoyed. It comments on future refusal, not on something being the most recent in time.
6. still present because all the others have gone, been used, or disappeared.
剩下的
其他都沒了之後仍留下的
still present because all the others have gone, been used, or disappeared.
Only one ticket was left, and Amira grabbed the last seat on the bus.
只剩一張票時，Amira 搶到了公車上剩下的最後一個位子。
the last + noun
The last apple rolled under the table after breakfast.
早餐後，剩下的最後一顆蘋果滾到了桌子底下。
This key is the last copy we have for the storage room.
這把鑰匙是我們手上剩下的最後一份儲藏室備份。
By midnight, Naoko was the last student still working in the lab.
到半夜時，Naoko 是實驗室裡剩下的最後一位學生。
文法句型
the last + noun
the last of + noun
用法筆記
This sense highlights what remains after reduction. Distinguish it from sense 1, where something is last because of position in an order.
7. belonging to the time nearest to now, or to the occasion immediately before this
上次的
離現在最近的一次或那個
belonging to the time nearest to now, or to the occasion immediately before this one.
My last email to the landlord was sent on Friday morning.
我上次寄給房東的那封信，是在週五早上送出的。
our last + noun
We met last winter at a book fair in Tainan.
我們去年冬天在台南的一場書展上見過面。
last + time expression
The last train home leaves at 11:20 on weekdays.
回家的末班火車平日晚上十一點二十分開。
Linh looked calmer than she had during our last conversation.
Linh 看起來比我們上次談話時冷靜。
文法句型
last night
last week
the last train
our last meeting
用法筆記
Common in time expressions such as 'last week' and 'last year'. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about end position rather than recency.
8. placed at the bottom of a class, competition, or social order.
最低階
在排名或地位上最低
placed at the bottom of a class, competition, or social order.
The last team in the league had to play a promotion match.
聯賽裡排名最低的那支球隊必須去打升降賽。
the last team in the league
Workers in the last pay grade received the smallest bonus.
處在最低薪級的員工拿到的獎金最少。
She was tired of being treated as the last member of the committee.
她受夠了在委員會裡總被當成最低一級的成員。
In that old army list, cooks were placed in the last class.
在那份舊軍隊名單裡，廚師被排在最低的等級。
文法句型
the last team in the table
the last pay grade
用法筆記
This sense is about status or rank, not about the latest time. It often appears in sports tables, formal lists, or social hierarchies.
9. serving as the closing, deciding, or most extreme stage of something.
最終的
作為收尾、定案或極限
serving as the closing, deciding, or most extreme stage of something.
The judge's signature is the last step before the sale becomes legal.
法官的簽名是這筆買賣合法生效前的最終一步。
last step before + clause
The committee made the last decision after reading both safety reports.
委員會看完兩份安全報告後，做出了最終決定。
The last stage of the project begins once the wiring test passes.
這個計畫的最終階段會在配線測試通過後開始。
Her diary recorded the family's last days in the flooded town.
她的日記記下了一家人在那座淹水小鎮裡的最後幾天。
文法句型
last stage
last decision
last days
用法筆記
Use this sense for something final or conclusive. Distinguish it from sense 6, which means 'remaining', and from sense 1, which only marks order.
last — 副詞
1. after all the other people or things, in the end position.
最後
在全部之後，排最末
after all the other people or things, in the end position.
Quinn spoke last after the other three team leaders finished.
其他三位組長都講完後，Quinn 最後才發言。
speak last
The blue van reached the mountain lodge last.
那輛藍色廂型車最後才到山上的小木屋。
Among the four children, Elise learned to swim last.
在四個孩子當中，Elise 最後才學會游泳。
The nurses ate last after every patient had been served.
每位病人都吃完後，護理師們最後才用餐。
文法句型
come last
arrive last
eat last
用法筆記
Usually follows the verb. It describes order of completion or arrival rather than the latest previous time.
2. on the most recent occasion, nearest to the present time.
最近一次
離現在最近的那次
on the most recent occasion, nearest to the present time.
When did you last call your uncle in Hualien?
你最近一次打電話給住在花蓮的叔叔是什麼時候？
when did you last...?
Yael last checked the forecast before leaving for the harbor.
Yael 最近一次查看天氣預報，是在前往港口之前。
subject + last + past tense
Our town last hosted the lantern festival back in 2019.
我們鎮上最近一次主辦那個節慶是在 2019 年。
I last saw that painting hanging above the library stairs.
我最近一次看到那幅畫時，它還掛在圖書館樓梯上方。
文法句型
when did you last...?
subject + last + past tense
用法筆記
This sense refers back to the latest previous time. It does not mean being in last place, which is adverb sense 1.
last — 名詞
1. whoever or whatever occupies the closing place in a group, race, or series.
末位者
排在最後的人或事物
whoever or whatever occupies the closing place in a group, race, or series.
Only three hikers had reached camp, and Yusuf was the last.
只有三位健行者到達營地，而 Yusuf 是最後那一位。
be the last
Please turn off the lights if you are the last to leave.
如果你是最後一個離開的人，請把燈關掉。
In our relay group, Yael was the last and carried the team flag.
在我們的接力組裡，Yael 是最後那位，還扛著隊旗。
Among the four folders, the yellow one was the last.
在四個資料夾當中，黃色那一個是最後一個。
文法句型
be the last
the last in line
用法筆記
Often appears with be. Distinguish it from noun sense 2, which refers to the closing part of something rather than the final member.
2. the closing section of an event, period, book, or other whole.
結尾處
某事物的收尾部分
the closing section of an event, period, book, or other whole.
The last of the movie shows the family returning to the village.
電影的結尾處出現了一家人回到村子的畫面。
the last of + noun
Please read the last of chapter six before tomorrow's class.
請在明天上課前讀完第六章的最後部分。
By the last of the concert, several children were asleep.
到了音樂會的尾聲時，已有幾個孩子睡著了。
The last of the storm passed east before dawn.
暴風雨的最後一段在天亮前往東邊移去了。
文法句型
the last of the book
by the last of the concert
用法筆記
Common in phrases like 'the last of the film' or 'by the last of the season'. It refers to a final portion rather than to a person finishing last.
3. a person's final moments at the end of life.
臨終
生命將盡的最後時刻
a person's final moments at the end of life.
The poet wrote calmly about facing the last without fear.
那位詩人平靜地寫下自己如何無懼面對臨終。
face the last
Neighbors stayed with Aunt Rosa through the last beside her bed.
鄰居們陪著 Aunt Rosa 走到臨終，安靜地守在床邊。
The memoir describes his last as peaceful and free of pain.
那本回憶錄寫到，他的臨終平和而且沒有痛苦。
No one wanted the patient to meet the last alone.
沒有人希望那位病人獨自面對臨終。
文法句型
face the last
through the last
用法筆記
This formal sense is mostly found in literary or solemn language about death.
last — 動詞
- lastpresent simple I / you / we / they
- lasts3rd person singular
- lasting-ing form
- lastedpast simple
1. to keep going without ending, breaking, or disappearing.
持續
在一段時間內繼續存在
to keep going without ending, breaking, or disappearing.
The meeting lasted nearly three hours because the budget numbers kept changing.
那場會議持續了將近三個小時，因為預算數字一直在變。
last for + period
This heat wave may last into the first week of July.
這波熱浪可能會持續到七月的第一週。
last into + time period
Their excitement lasted only until the train cancellation notice arrived.
他們的興奮只持續到列車取消通知送來為止。
If the ceasefire lasts, farmers can return to the valley this month.
如果停火持續下去，農民這個月就能回到山谷。
文法句型
last for + period
last until + time
last only + period
用法筆記
Use this sense when something continues in time. Distinguish it from verb sense 2, which focuses on staying useful or being enough.
2. to remain useful, fresh, fashionable, or enough for what is needed.
耐用夠用
仍然好用、夠用或適合
to remain useful, fresh, fashionable, or enough for what is needed.
A good pair of boots should last through several rainy winters.
一雙好的靴子應該耐用到能撐過好幾個多雨的冬天。
last through + event/period
We bought extra rice because one small bag would not last the weekend.
我們多買了米，因為一小袋不夠用到週末。
That cheap phone case lasted only a month before the corner split.
那個便宜的手機殼只耐用了一個月，角落就裂開了。
Her savings will last until August if she keeps sharing rent.
如果她繼續合租，她的存款會夠用到八月。
文法句型
last through + event
last + period
last until + time
用法筆記
This sense is common for objects, supplies, money, and usefulness over time. It is narrower than sense 1 because it adds the idea of remaining good enough.