極(きょく)

きょく
noun
pole; extreme; height
sciencequantity
1. pole (geographic or magnetic)
One of the two endpoints of an axis, especially the North or South Pole of the Earth, or the positive/negative pole of a magnet or battery.
北極(ほっきょく)と南極(なんきょく)は地球(ちきゅう)の両極(りょうきょく)だ。
The North Pole and South Pole are the two poles of the Earth.
磁石(じしゃく)にはN極(きょく)とS極(きょく)がある。
A magnet has an N pole and an S pole.
電池(でんち)のプラス極(きょく)とマイナス極(きょく)を間違(まちが)えないでください。
Please don't mix up the positive and negative terminals of the battery.
2. extreme, height, utmost
The farthest or highest point of something; the ultimate degree. Used in compounds and set phrases to indicate an extreme.
二人(ふたり)の意見(いけん)は両極端(りょうきょくたん)だ。
Their two opinions are at opposite extremes.
退屈(たいくつ)の極(きょく)に達(たっ)した。
I reached the height of boredom.
彼(かれ)の行動(こうどう)は極端(きょくたん)から極端(きょくたん)へと振(ふ)れる。
His behavior swings from one extreme to another.

Usage

As a standalone word, most often used in scientific contexts (geographic/magnetic poles). In the sense of "extreme," it primarily appears in compounds:

Note: When read as ごく, it is a prefix meaning "very, extremely" (極(ごく)少数(しょうすう), a very small number). That is a separate entry.

Common collocations

  • N極(きょく)/S極(きょく): N pole / S pole
  • 両極(りょうきょく): both poles
  • 極(きょく)に達(たっ)する: to reach the extreme

Related Words

Related: 極(きわ)み
Related: 極度(きょくど)
general
Added 2026.2.23 20:50 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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