最さい長ちょう

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

longest; maximum length; maximum duration

Used for the greatest length, distance, or span of time among a set. Common in patterns such as 最長の, 世界最長, and 最長で.

Antonyms: 最短

• これは世せ界かい最さい長ちょうのつり橋ばしです。

  This is the world's longest suspension bridge.

• 審しん査さには最さい長ちょうで二に週しゅう間かんかかります。

  The review will take up to two weeks.

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

oldest; most senior

A rare or dictionary-noted use meaning oldest by age or seniority. In ordinary modern Japanese, 最年長 is usually clearer for this meaning.

Antonyms: 最少

• 「最さい長ちょう」が「最もっとも年とし上うえ」という意い味みで使つかわれる場ば合あいもあるが、普ふ通つうは「最さい年ねん長ちょう」と言いう。

  最長 is sometimes used to mean 'oldest,' but normally one says 最年長.