“mazu・tsugi ni・saigo ni”: First・Next・Last (sequencing connectors) [JLPT N2]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

Connectors that order steps and arguments in explanations and essays

「まず現状を報告し、次に課題を、最後に提案を」 — fitting a sequence skeleton onto argument

Giving a presentation: 「まず現状を報告し、次に課題を挙げ、最後に改善案を提案する」 (first report the situation, next raise the issues, finally propose improvements) — 「まず・次に・最後に」 are connectives marking the order of steps or points: まず = first, 次に = next, 最後に = finally (closing). They fit a “first, second, last” skeleton onto explanations and essays. This guide covers the standard order, the division of labor with 「それから」「結局,」 and warns that 「最後に」 isn't “at last.”

Core: three signposts for listing order

This set of connectives are “signposts of order,” letting the reader/listener grasp the structure at a glance:

• まず = first (the first step, the opening): まず、手を洗ってください。
• 次に = next (the following step): 次に、材料を切ります。
• 最後に = finally (closing, the last step): 最後に、火を止めます。

With many middle steps, 「それから／続いて (then, next)」 can add more. The standard order is まず → 次に →（それから）→ 最後に.

Feel: “first … next … finally …” — the core is fitting a clear sequence skeleton onto the content; seeing 「まず」 the reader knows it's starting, seeing 「最後に」 that it's wrapping up. Used to explain steps, write essays, give presentations, it makes the logic especially clear.

Attachment & forms

See it in context

• まず手を洗って、次に材料を切り、最後に炒めます。(First wash your hands, next cut the ingredients, finally stir-fry.) — recipe
• まず結論から述べる。次にその根拠を示す。(First state the conclusion, next show its grounds.) — argument
• 会議ではまず現状を、次に課題を、最後に提案を報告した。(In the meeting, first the situation, next the issues, finally the proposal.)
• まず深呼吸してください。それからゆっくり話しましょう。(First take a deep breath, then let's talk slowly.)
• 最後に、ご協力いただいた皆様に感謝します。(Finally, my thanks to everyone who helped.) — closing thanks

⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid

① The standard order is 「まず→次に→最後に」; don't misplace them. This set are order signposts, placed in logical order: まず (first step, opening) → 次に (next step) → (それから／続いて may be inserted) → 最後に (closing). Don't put 「最後に」 at the start or use 「まず」 for the end. For several middle steps, connect with 「それから・続いて (then, next).」 Remember this standard skeleton: まず→次に→（それから）→最後に, and your argument/steps stay clear.

② 「最後に」 is ‘last in order,' not ‘at last.' This is the key distinction. 「最後に」 = (in order) last, the final step, neutral, without emotion, merely marking “this is the last item”: 最後に、質問を受け付けます (finally, I'll take questions). Don't confuse it with 「とうとう／やっと (at last)」 — 「とうとう・やっと」 is “after long waiting/effort, at last …,” with emotion (the relief of a wish, or resignation): やっと終わった (it's finally over — with relief), とうとう完成した (finally completed — after hardship). Test: for merely “the last step in order” use 最後に (neutral); for “after a process, at last realized” use とうとう／やっと (with emotion). 「最後に感謝します (finally, my thanks)」 can't be 「やっと感謝します.」

③ This set leans written/orderly; casual chat mostly uses 「それから・そして.」 「まず・次に・最後に」 carry an orderly, written feel, best for essays, presentations, operating instructions, speeches — settings needing clear logic. For the offhand sequence of everyday talk, natives more often use the colloquial 「それから (then)」「そして (next)」「で (and then, very casual)」: colloquial 「朝起きて、それから朝ごはん食べて、で、出かけた」 (got up, then had breakfast, and then went out). Using 「まず・次に・最後に」 throughout casual chat sounds too much like a presentation. Test: formally explaining steps, argument → まず・次に・最後に; everyday sequence in chat → それから・そして・で.

🔄 Compare: まず／次に／最後に／それから／結局

💡 Learning tip

「まず・次に・最後に」 = first・next・finally, essential signposts for clear logic in explaining steps, writing essays, giving presentations — three points: ① the standard order まず→次に→（それから／続いて）→最後に, don't misplace; ② 「最後に」 is ‘last in order,' not ‘at last' — a neutral marker of the final step, not to be confused with the emotional 「とうとう／やっと (at last)」 (最後に thanks ≠ やっと thanks); ③ it leans written/orderly — formal argument, presentations use this set; for everyday sequence, colloquial 「それから・そして・で」 is more natural. Comparing relatives: an opening can also use the more written 「はじめに」; for “eventual outcome” use 「結局」 (not order). To give a presentation, explanation, or essay a clear skeleton, fit on these signposts and the reader/listener instantly catches your logic.

❓ FAQ

Q: 「最後に」, 「とうとう」, 「やっと」 all come late in a sentence — are they all ‘finally'?

No, quite different. 「最後に」 = (in order) last, the final step: it's an order signpost, neutral, without emotion, merely marking “this is the last item in a list/sequence,” paired with 「まず・次に」: まずA、次にB、最後にC (first A, next B, finally C), 最後に、質問はありますか (finally, any questions?). It purely marks “position in order.” 「とうとう」「やっと」 = at last (realized after a process): they carry emotion, meaning “after long waiting, effort, twists, at last …”: やっと宿題が終わった (the homework is finally done — with relief), とうとう彼は来なかった (he never did come in the end — with resignation), 三年かかって、とうとう完成した (took three years, finally completed — with feeling). Test: for merely “(in order) the last step, the last item,” neutral → 最後に; for “after a process, at last realized (or in the end …),” with emotion → とうとう／やっと. E.g. a presentation's close 「最後に、まとめます (finally, I'll sum up)」 uses 最後に (order); but 「やっと春が来た (spring is finally here)」 carries joy and can't be 「最後に.」 One is a calm order marker, the other an emotional “at last” — don't mix.

Q: For everyday sequence in chat, do I also use 「まず・次に・最後に」?

Not necessarily — everyday talk more often uses the colloquial 「それから・そして・で.」 「まず・次に・最後に」 carry an orderly, written feel, used as “signposts” to make the logic of argument, step explanation, presentations clear — great for formal, order-needing settings: an essay 「まず〜。次に〜。最後に〜。」, recipes/instructions, presentations. But for the offhand sequence of casual chat, using 「まず・次に・最後に」 throughout sounds too formal, too much like a presentation; natives more often use colloquial sequence connectives: 「それから (then, next)」「そして (next)」, even the very casual 「で (and then)」: 「昨日ね、映画見て、それからご飯食べて、で、帰ったの」 (yesterday, saw a movie, then ate, and then went home). So the test: writing an essay, giving a presentation, formally explaining steps (needing order) → まず・次に・最後に; everyday sequence in chat (offhand) → それから・そして・で. Of course, when explaining more complex steps in daily life (e.g. teaching someone an operation), 「まず〜、次に〜」 is natural and clear too — the key is whether you need a sense of order. To sound logical and orderly use まず・次に・最後に; to sound natural and offhand just use それから.

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「___、自己紹介から始めましょう。」(first, let's start with self-introductions)

(A) まず　(B) 最後に　(C) しかし　(D) ところが

Q2. 「材料を準備する。___、火にかけて炒める。」(prepare ingredients. Next, put on heat and stir-fry)

(A) 次に　(B) まず　(C) 最後に　(D) たとえば

Q3. Which conjunction is used for the 「conclusion (wrap-up)」 in a speech or essay?

(A) 最後に　(B) まず　(C) 次に　(D) 最初に

Q4. 説明の順序を正しく並べたものはどれか？

(A) まず → 次に → 最後に　(B) 最後に → まず → 次に

(C) 次に → 最後に → まず　(D) 最後に → 次に → まず

Q5. 「まず」の使い方として最も適切な文は？

(A) まず、手を洗ってください。それから料理を始めます。

(B) まず、これで全部終わりです。

(C) 料理が完成した。まず、食べよう。　(D) まず、昨日のことなんですが。

Answer Explanations

1. (A) まず ── 「まず」 = first (the opening step).

2. (A) 次に ── 「次に」 = next (the second step).

3. (A) 最後に ── 「最後に」 is used to wrap things up.

4. (A) ── The standard order is まず → 次に → 最後に.

5. (A) ── 「まず」 is used for the opening first step; (B) contradicts 「終わり」, (C)(D) are unnatural.