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adverb / adjective / noun HSK 4
Traditional 極
jí
extremely · pole · utmost · limit

Meaning

极 means 'extremely' or 'to the utmost degree' when used as an adverb. It can also refer to a physical or conceptual pole or extreme point. The character combines the idea of reaching the furthest or highest point possible.

Usage

As an adverb, 极 is commonly used in formal or written Chinese to intensify adjectives, meaning 'extremely' or 'very'. In everyday speech, 非常 is more common. 极 also appears in scientific terms like 南极 (South Pole) and 北极 (North Pole), and in set expressions meaning 'extreme' or 'limit'.

Examples

  1. 01
    这件事极其重要。
    Zhè jiàn shì jí qí zhòng yào.
    This matter is extremely important.
  2. 02
    北极熊生活在北极地区。
    Běi jí xióng shēng huó zài běi jí dì qū.
    Polar bears live in the Arctic region.

Common collocations

  • 极其
    jí qí
    extremely, exceedingly
  • 积极
    jī jí
    active, positive
  • 南极
    nán jí
    South Pole, Antarctica
  • 北极
    běi jí
    North Pole, Arctic

Antonyms

Origin

The traditional form 極 consists of 木 (wood/tree) and 亟 (urgent/extreme), suggesting the idea of reaching the top of a tree or the furthest point. The simplified form 极 retains the phonetic component.

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