Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Last; final: Refers to something that comes at the end of a sequence or series, marking the conclusion.
   • Ultimate: Denotes the furthest point in a progression or the most fundamental element.

2. Adverb:

   • Finally; at last: Indicates that something happens after a long time, delay, or series of events.
   • In the end; ultimately: Used to introduce a final point, conclusion, or result.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Đây là chương cuối cùng của cuốn sách. (This is the final chapter of the book.)
  • Quyết định cuối cùng thuộc về bạn. (The ultimate decision belongs to you.)

• Adverb:

  • Cuối cùng, chúng tôi cũng đến được đỉnh núi. (Finally, we reached the mountain top.)
  • Mọi thứ cuối cùng rồi cũng sẽ ổn thôi. (Everything will be okay in the end.)

Advanced Usage

• "đến cùng" / "cùng cực": These are related phrases meaning "to the utmost" or "extreme," but they are distinct from "cuối cùng."
  • Anh ấy đã chiến đấu đến cùng. (He fought to the end.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sau cùng (adv): An alternative for "finally" or "lastly," often used interchangeably in many contexts.

  • Sau cùng, cô ấy đã đồng ý. (Lastly, she agreed.)

• Chung cuộc (n/adv): Refers to the final outcome or result, often used in competitive contexts.

  • Kết quả chung cuộc rất bất ngờ. (The final result was very surprising.)

Synonyms

• Final: Concluding part of something.
• Last: Coming after all others.
• Ultimately: Finally; in the end.
• Eventually: In the end, especially after a delay.

Related Idioms

• Nước đến chân mới nhảy: Similar to "until the last minute," describing action taken only when it is finally necessary.

  • Anh ta luôn nước đến chân mới nhảy. (He always acts at the last minute.)

• Cùng đường: Means "at the end of the road" or "having no way out," describing a desperate final situation.

  • Họ cảm thấy mình đã cùng đường. (They felt they had reached a dead end.)

1. last; final, at last; ultimate