極きょく

noun

pole

Refers to a geographical or magnetic pole, or the terminal point of an axis. Common in compounds like 北極 (North Pole) and 南極 (South Pole).

• 地ち球きゅうの北ほっ極きょくと南なん極きょくは氷こおりで覆おおわれている。

  The Earth's North and South Poles are covered with ice.

noun

extreme; climax; zenith; nadir

Denotes the furthest point, highest degree, or culmination of something. Can be used for both positive and negative extremes (zenith/nadir). Often appears in phrases like 極に達する (reach an extreme) or 極を尽くす (exhaust all extremes).

• 彼かれの怒いかりは極きょくに達たっした。

  His anger reached its peak.

• この贅ぜい沢たくは極きょくを尽つくしている。

  This luxury is the ultimate extreme.