極(きわ)めて

きわめて
adverb
extremely; exceedingly
1. extremely; exceedingly; very
To a very high degree; used to emphasize the extent of something.
極(きわ)めて重要(じゅうよう)な問題(もんだい)。
An extremely important issue.
極(きわ)めて珍(めずら)しい。
Extremely rare.
成功(せいこう)の可能性(かのうせい)は極(きわ)めて低(ひく)い。
The chance of success is extremely low.

極(きわ)めて is a formal adverb meaning 'extremely' or 'exceedingly,' derived from the verb 極(きわ)める (to reach the extreme).

REGISTER:
More formal and emphatic than とても. Often used in written language, news, and formal speech.

FORMALITY SCALE (least to most formal):

  • とても: very (casual)
  • 大変(たいへん): very (general)
  • 非常(ひじょう)に: very, extremely (formal)
  • 極(きわ)めて: extremely (most formal)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 極(きわ)めて重要(じゅうよう): extremely important
  • 極(きわ)めて珍(めずら)しい: extremely rare
  • 極(きわ)めて困難(こんなん): extremely difficult
  • 極(きわ)めて異例(いれい): highly unusual

USAGE NOTE:
Often appears in news reports, academic writing, and official announcements when emphasizing the degree of something.

general
Added 2026.1.16 16:49 · Revised 2026.1.27 8:53
05500/05529_kiwamete