極
極·extreme, pole, utmost
- On-yomi
- キョクゴク
- Kun-yomi
- きわ(める)きわ(まる)きわ(み)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 極端 | きょくたん | extreme |
| 積極的 | せっきょくてき | positive, proactive |
| 極めて | きわめて | extremely |
| 北極 | ほっきょく | North Pole |
| 極楽 | ごくらく | paradise |
| 極める | きわめる | to master, to reach the extreme |
Example sentences
極端なダイエットは体に良くない。
きょくたんなだいえっとはからだによくない。
Extreme dieting is bad for the body.
彼は会議で積極的に発言する。
かれはかいぎでせっきょくてきにはつげんする。
He speaks up proactively in meetings.
この問題は極めて重要だ。
このもんだいはきわめてじゅうようだ。
This issue is extremely important.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Two on readings: キョク in 極端, 北極, 積極的; ゴク in 極楽, 極上. 極めて uses the kun reading きわめて.
- 積極的 is せっきょくてき: the き of 積 becomes っ before キョク.
Memory aid
Picture it
A tree 木 that has grown as far as it can go: the extreme, the pole.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 消極的しょうきょくてきpassive, negative
- 極力きょくりょくas much as possible; to the utmost
- 南極なんきょくthe South Pole, the Antarctic
- 北極ほっきょくthe North Pole, the Arctic
- 積極的せっきょくてきpositive, active
- 極ごくextremely, exceedingly, very
- 極めてきわめてextremely, exceedingly (formal)
- 対極たいきょくopposite pole, antithesis
- 見極めるみきわめるto ascertain, to discern
- 究極きゅうきょくultimate; final; eventual
- 極端きょくたんextreme; going too far; an extremity
- 両極りょうきょくboth extremes; the two poles (north and south, positive and negative)
Quick check
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What does the kanji 極 mean?