極限(きょくげん)

きょくげん
noun
limit, extreme, utmost
abstract
1. limit, extreme, utmost point
The farthest point or boundary that can be reached; the maximum or most extreme degree of something. Used for both physical endurance and abstract concepts.
体力(たいりょく)の極限(きょくげん)に達(たっ)した。
I reached the limit of my physical strength.
極限(きょくげん)状態(じょうたい)で人(ひと)はどう行動(こうどう)するのか。
How do people act in extreme conditions?
選手(せんしゅ)たちは精神的(せいしんてき)にも肉体的(にくたいてき)にも極限(きょくげん)まで追(お)い込(こ)まれたが、最後(さいご)まで諦(あきら)めなかった。
The athletes were pushed to their limits both mentally and physically, but they never gave up until the end.

極限(きょくげん) refers to the absolute furthest point or boundary — the utmost degree something can reach. A compound of 極(きょく) (extreme) + 限(げん) (limit).

Common collocations

Usage

Often used to describe situations where a person or thing is pushed to the absolute maximum. Common in sports commentary, survival narratives, and dramatic contexts. In mathematics, 極限(きょくげん) also means "limit" (as in calculus).

Similar words

  • 限界(げんかい): limit, boundary (more everyday; often used for personal capacity)
  • 極限(きょくげん): more dramatic, emphasizing the absolute extreme

Related Words

Synonym: 限界(げんかい) (limit, boundary (everyday))
Compare: 極大(きょくだい) (maximum)
Homophone: 局限(きょくげん) (restriction)
general
Added 2026.2.24 15:43 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13000/13231_kyokugen