myöhäisin

Myöhäisin is the superlative form of the Finnish adjective myöhäinen, meaning late or tardy. It denotes the last or latest in a set of times, events, or choices. In usage, myöhäisin can describe a noun (attributive) or function predicatively as a complement of the verb se olla (to be).

In practical terms, myöhäisin is used to express lateness in a sequence or to indicate the latest possible option. For example, myöhäisin juna refers to the latest train, while myöhäisin mahdollinen aika means the latest possible time. The comparative form is myöhäisempi (later), and the plain positive is myöhäinen (late). The word is common in schedules, planning, and discussions about deadlines or sequences.

Grammatically, like other Finnish adjectives, myöhäisin agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case. It can appear in attributive position (myöhäisin juna, the latest train) or predicatively (juna on myöhäisin, the train is the latest). It contrasts with the adverbial sekä, but more importantly with other adjectives such as myöhäisempi (comparative) and myöhäinen (positive).

Etymology traces to myöhäinen plus the Finnish superlative suffix -in, forming a standard, productive superlative across contexts. It is distinct from related terms such as myöhässä, which means being late in a current moment or transport-related delay, rather than indicating the final or latest in a series.

In summary, myöhäisin functions as a precise Finnish superlative for lateness in time or sequence, and is widely used in everyday language, especially regarding schedules and deadlines.