1.
climax; high point; peak
The moment when excitement, tension, or intensity reaches its highest level, often used for narratives, performances, or social events.
盛り上がりが高潮に達した。
The excitement reached its climax.
議論は高潮に達し、互いに一歩も引かなかった。
The debate reached its peak, and neither side would give an inch.
物語が高潮に達する場面で、観客は息を飲んで見守った。
At the scene where the story reached its climax, the audience watched with bated breath.
Refers to the high point or climax of an event, emotion, or narrative. Combines 高 (high) and 潮 (tide), using the metaphor of a rising tide reaching its peak.
USAGE:
- The most common pattern is 高潮に達する (to reach a climax/peak)
- Used for narratives, emotions, events, and debates
- Note: with the reading たかしお, the same kanji 高潮 means "storm surge" (a weather/oceanographic term) — a completely different word
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 高潮に達する: to reach a climax
- 気分が高潮に達する: mood reaches a peak
- 興奮が高潮に達する: excitement reaches a climax
SIMILAR WORDS:
- クライマックス: climax — the loanword equivalent; common in entertainment contexts
- 頂点: summit, peak — can be used similarly but broader
- 最高潮: the absolute peak/climax — intensified form
- 山場: crucial moment, climax — more colloquial