終電（しゅうでん、shuuden）
- last train

The Japanese word 終電 (しゅうでん) refers to the last train of the day. It's the final train scheduled to depart or arrive at a particular station on a given day. Missing the 終電 means you'll have to find alternative transportation, such as a taxi, or wait until the first train the next morning.

⚫︎終電に間に合うように急ぎましょう。 Translation: Let's hurry so we can make the last train. ⚫︎今夜の《終電は何時ですか？》 Translation: What time is the last train tonight? ⚫︎終電を逃してしまった。》 Translation: I missed the last train.

You would use 終電 when discussing the last train of the day. It's essential to know the time of the 終電 if you're out late, especially if you rely on public transportation. You might ask about the 終電 time when planning to go somewhere late, when making plans with friends, or when trying to get home.

終電 is written in kanji and is read as しゅうでん in hiragana. There aren't alternative ways to write it, and the okurigana is fixed.

There aren't direct synonyms that refer *specifically* to the last train. However, the phrases that imply the same concept could be: ⚫︎最終電車 (さいしゅうでんしゃ) - "final train" (more formal)

The antonym of 終電 is not a single word. It could be implied by: ⚫︎始発 (しはつ) - the first train of the day.

飲みすぎて《終電を逃してしまった。タクシーで帰るしかない。》 ・Translation: I drank too much and missed the last train. I have no choice but to take a taxi home. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the consequence of missing the last train, which is the need to take alternative transportation, here, a taxi.

あの店を出る前に、必ず《終電の時間を調べておこう。》 ・Translation: Before leaving that shop, be sure to check the time of the last train. ・Explanation: This emphasizes the importance of knowing the 終電 time to avoid being stranded.

The word 終電 is formed from two kanji: ⚫︎終 (しゅう) - meaning "end" or "finish" ⚫︎電 (でん) - meaning "electricity" or "train" (short for 電車 - "electric train") Therefore, 終電 literally translates to "end train," referring to the final train of the day.