noun-modifying (irregular)
Prenominal use, directly modifying a noun. Common in phrases like ラストチャンス (last chance) or ラストスパート (final spurt).
これがラストチャンスだ。
This is your last chance.
Her song was the closing highlight of the competition.
ラストシーンが一番感動的だった。
The final scene was the most moving.
end; conclusion; last one
Noun use, often referring to the last item, the end of something, or the final part of an event. Frequently used in entertainment contexts (e.g., ラストを飾る).
彼はレースのラストでスピードを上げた。
He picked up speed at the end of the race.
この曲が今日のライブのラストです。
This song is the last one for today's concert.
試合はラストまで目が離せなかった。
You couldn't take your eyes off the game right up to the end.
The scene where the hero appears at the very end was moving.
ラスト is a casual loanword meaning 'the last part' in general, while エンディング is specifically the concluding portion of a narrative work.
最初 means 'first' or 'beginning', the direct opposite of ラスト's 'last' or 'end'.
ファースト means 'first' in a sequence while ラスト means 'last', the two loanwords often pairing in phrases about order or ranking.
last scene; final scene; closing scene
last spurt; final spurt; home stretch
last dungeon; final dungeon; last stage
last entry time; last check-in time
final boss
Loanword from English 'last'.
last order; last call
last stage appearance; final performance · final level; last stage
last chance
last resort