1.
quite, very, extremely
An intensifier emphasizing degree; often used before adjectives or nouns to indicate something is at an extreme or exceptional level.
それは極普通のことだ。
That's perfectly normal.
極普通 = perfectly/completely normal
極少数の人しか知らない。
Only a very small number of people know.
極最近のことだ。
It was very recently.
USAGE: 極 is a formal intensifier that often emphasizes ordinary or extreme qualities.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 極普通 (perfectly ordinary)
- 極少数 (very few)
- 極最近 (very recently)
- 極一部 (only a part)
- 極稀に (very rarely)
- 極自然に (very naturally)
CONTRAST:
- 極 - quite, very (formal, limited usage)
- とても - very (general, versatile)
- 非常に - extremely (formal)
NOTE: 極 is typically used with certain fixed expressions and is less versatile than とても.