1.
peak, summit, top of a mountain
The highest point of a mountain or elevation. A literary alternative to 山頂 or 頂上.
山の絶頂に立つ。
Stand on the summit of the mountain.
登山家たちは吹雪の中、絶頂を目指した。
The mountaineers pressed toward the summit in the blizzard.
険しい岩場を越えて、ついに絶頂にたどり着いた。
After crossing steep rocky terrain, they finally reached the summit.
2.
peak, zenith, climax, height
The highest point or most intense moment of something — power, popularity, emotion, or any state. More commonly used than the literal mountain sense.
人気絶頂のアイドルだ。
An idol at the height of popularity.
幸福の絶頂にいる気分だった。
I felt like I was at the peak of happiness.
ローマ帝国は2世紀に権力の絶頂を迎えた。
The Roman Empire reached the zenith of its power in the 2nd century.
USAGE:
The figurative sense (peak, zenith) is more common than the literal mountain summit sense. Often used in the pattern ○○の絶頂 or ○○絶頂 (at the peak of ○○).
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 頂上: summit, top (more common for mountains)
- 山頂: mountain summit (specific to mountains)
- 最高潮: climax, high point (of excitement or events)
- 全盛期: heyday, golden age (focuses on the period)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 人気絶頂: at the height of popularity
- 幸福の絶頂: peak of happiness
- 権力の絶頂: zenith of power
- 絶頂期: peak period