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Kotomora

最

utmost, most, extreme

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 100Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • サイ
  • シュ

Kun'yomi

  • もっと.も
  • つま

Nanori

  • も

Meaning

最 centers on the highest degree of something: the utmost, the most, or the extreme end of a scale.

Most common words using 最

24 of 396
  • 最近さいきん
    N5

    recently; lately; these days; nowadays; right now

  • 最後さいご
    N4

    end; conclusion

  • 最初さいしょ
    N4

    beginning; outset; first; onset

  • 最高さいこう
    N3

    best; supreme; wonderful; finest

  • 最終さいしゅう
    N3

    last; final; closing

  • 最大さいだい
    N3

    biggest; greatest; largest; maximum

  • 最ももっとも
    N4

    most; extremely

  • 最新さいしん
    N3

    latest; newest; late-breaking (news)

  • 最低さいてい
    N3

    least; lowest; minimum

  • 最悪さいあく
    N3

    worst

  • 最強さいきょう
    N1

    strongest

  • 最早もはや
    N2

    already; now

  • 最適さいてき
    N2

    most suitable; optimum; optimal; best

  • 最中さいちゅう
    N4

    (in) the middle of; (in) the midst of; (in) the course of; (at) the height of

  • 最低限さいていげん
    N1

    minimum

  • 最期さいご
    N1

    one's last moment; one's death; one's end

  • 最小さいしょう
    N3

    smallest (in size, degree, etc.); least; minimum; minimal

  • 最多さいた
    N3

    most (numerous); largest (number of)

  • 最先端さいせんたん
    N1

    cutting edge; leading edge; forefront; state of the art

  • 最大限さいだいげん
    N1

    maximum

  • 最短さいたん

    shortest

  • 最高裁さいこうさい

    Supreme Court

  • 最善さいぜん
    N2

    the very best; utmost

  • 最小限さいしょうげん
    N1

    minimum; lowest; minimal; least

Explore all words using 最 →

Study

Etymology

最 originally combined 冃 (a cap or covering) with 取 (to take), suggesting the idea of taking the topmost or covering everything, which developed into the sense of 'utmost' or 'most'. The modern form has 日 on top, which is a simplification of the original cap element.

Meaning mnemonic

The sun 日 sits above a hand taking something 取, as if reaching for the highest point: the utmost, the most extreme.

Reading mnemonic

For サイ, imagine a sigh of relief when you finally reach the utmost peak: sigh -> サイ, and you are at the very top.