両りょう極きょく

りょ

う

きょ

く

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

both extremities; both ends

Refers to the two opposite ends or extremes of something, often used in abstract contexts like opinions or situations. Compare 両極端.

See also: 両極端

意い見けんが両りょう極きょくに分わかれた。
Opinions were split into two extremes.

2

North and South Poles

Specifically the Earth's North and South Poles. Often used in scientific or geographical contexts.

両りょう極きょくの氷こおりが溶とけている。
The ice at both poles is melting.

3

positive and negative poles

Refers to the positive and negative terminals of a battery or electrical device.

電でん池ちの両りょう極きょくを確かく認にんしてください。
Please check the positive and negative poles of the battery.

See all 8 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉が両りょう極きょくに分わかれるfor something to split into two opposite extremes
この問もん題だいについては世よ論ろんが両りょう極きょくに分わかれている。
Public opinion on this issue is split into two extremes.
両りょう極きょくを探たん検けんするto explore the (North and South) Poles
その探たん検けん家かは両りょう極きょくを探たん検けんした最さい初しょの人じん物ぶつだ。
That explorer was the first person to explore both Poles.

Kanji

両both, old Japanese coin, counter for carriages (e.g., in a train)
極extreme, pole, extremely

Related words

両りょう極きょく端たん sense 1
両極端 stresses two opposite extremes in opinions or situations, while 両極 more neutrally names the two ends or poles of something, whether abstract, geographic, or electrical.

Don't confuse with

北ほっ極きょくN3sense 2
北極 names only the North Pole, whereas 両極 refers to both the North and South Poles together.
南なん極きょくN3sense 2
南極 names only the South Pole, whereas 両極 covers both the North and South Poles as a pair.

Word family

両りょう極きょく端たん
both extremes; two opposite extremes
両りょう極きょく地ち方ほう
polar regions; polar areas

Etymology

Compound of 両 (both) and 極 (pole/extremity). The meaning follows directly from the kanji.