最 高 潮(さいこうちょう)

さいこうちょう

noun

climax; peak; highest point

1. climax; peak; highest point; crescendo

The point at which excitement, tension, activity, or emotion reaches its highest level. Can also refer literally to the highest tide.

盛(も)り上(あ)がりが最高潮(さいこうちょう)に達(たっ)した。

The excitement reached its peak.

試合(しあい)は最高潮(さいこうちょう)を迎(むか)えた。

The game reached its climax.

祭(まつ)りの最後(さいご)に興奮(こうふん)は最高潮(さいこうちょう)に達(たっ)し、花火(はなび)が打(う)ち上(あ)げられた。

At the end of the festival, the excitement reached its peak and fireworks were launched.

Literally means "highest tide" (最高(さいこう) + 潮(ちょう)), used figuratively to describe the peak or climax of any rising intensity — excitement, tension, popularity, conflict, etc.

Common collocations

最高潮(さいこうちょう)に達(たっ)する: to reach the peak/climax
最高潮(さいこうちょう)を迎(むか)える: to reach the climax
興奮(こうふん)が最高潮(さいこうちょう)に: excitement at its peak
緊張(きんちょう)が最高潮(さいこうちょう)に: tension at its height

Similar words

クライマックス: climax (loanword) — used more for narrative/story structure
頂点(ちょうてん): summit, peak — more general, used for achievement and position
絶頂(ぜっちょう): pinnacle, peak — stronger intensity, can sound more dramatic
ピーク: peak (loanword) — more casual, used for statistics and trends

Related Words

Compare: クライマックス (climax)

Compare: 頂点(ちょうてん) (summit, peak)

Compare: 絶頂(ぜっちょう) (pinnacle, peak)

Compare: ピーク (peak)

general

Added 2026.3.25 12:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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