What's the difference between 最後 and 最終?


While reviewing my 漢字, I noticed that for "last", I have (at least) two words,
either 最後{さいご} or 最終{さいしゅう}. I was wondering, is there any difference in
usage, or can I use them equivalently?




> 最: most; extreme
>
> 後: later; latter
>
> 終: end

**最後** is used as a noun or a の-adjective. (e.g. 列の最後, 最後の晩餐) In the form of
**Verb+が/たら+最後** , it means _once_ (e.g. 彼は外に出たが最後... _Once_ he goes out...)

**最終** is used as an adjective right before noun. (e.g. 最終列車, 最終的)

When they are adjectives, they are usually interchangeable. (e.g. 最後のバス is
interchangeable with 最終バス)  
However, while 最終 means to just happen after all other things, 最後 often
implies that it is the end of things and that it will never happen again. For
example, 最終試合 is just a last game of championships on which someone will be a
champion; 最後の試合 is the final game for someone.




> 最: most; extreme
>
> 後: later; latter
>
> 終: end

**最後** is used as a noun or a の-adjective. (e.g. 列の最後, 最後の晩餐) In the form of
**Verb+が/たら+最後** , it means _once_ (e.g. 彼は外に出たが最後... _Once_ he goes out...)

**最終** is used as an adjective right before noun. (e.g. 最終列車, 最終的)

When they are adjectives, they are usually interchangeable. (e.g. 最後のバス is
interchangeable with 最終バス)  
However, while 最終 means to just happen after all other things, 最後 often
implies that it is the end of things and that it will never happen again. For
example, 最終試合 is just a last game of championships on which someone will be a
champion; 最後の試合 is the final game for someone.

