最后 (Zuì Hòu)

Pronunciation: zui4 hou4

Basic Meaning: last, final

Detailed Explanation: 最后 refers to the final or ultimate stage or position. It can indicate the end of a process, the last part of a series, or the ultimate outcome of something.

Usage Scenarios: 最后 is often used to describe the final result, conclusion, or outcome of a situation. It can also be used to express the last or final action in a sequence.

Story Origin: There is no specific story origin for this idiom.

Structure of the Idiom: 最后 is a two-character idiom made up of the characters "最" (zui4), meaning "most" or "extremely", and "后" (hou4), meaning "after" or "later".

Example Sentences:

1. 最后，他決定放棄這個項目。(Zuì hòu, tā jué dìng fàng qì zhè gè xiàng mù.) - In the end, he decided to give up on this project.

2. 他們經歷了很多困難，但最后取得了成功。(Tāmen jīnglì le hěn duō kùnnán, dàn zuìhòu qǔdé le chénggōng.) - They went through many difficulties, but in the end, they succeeded.

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of 最后, you can associate it with the word "ultimate". Both words indicate the final or last stage of something.

Extended Learning: To further understand the usage of 最后, you can learn more related idioms and phrases such as 最終 (zuì zhōng) - finally, in the end and 最后的決定 (zuì hòu de jué dìng) - the final decision.

Example sentences from different age groups:

1. Children: 最后一節課是體育課。(Zuì hòu yī jié kè shì tǐ yù kè.) - The last class is physical education.

2. Teenagers: 我終于考完了最后一門考試。(Wǒ zhōngyú kǎo wán le zuì hòu yī mén kǎo shì.) - I finally finished the last exam.

3. Adults: 最后，他們決定離婚。(Zuì hòu, tāmen jué dìng líhūn.) - In the end, they decided to divorce.