Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 3: 7/17

の極(きわ)み

Ultimate, Extreme, Utter, Epitome, Peak

Structure

Noun + の + 極(きわ)み

Details

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    Formal

  • 使用域

    硬い

About の極み

When paired with a noun followed by the case-marking particle の, 極(きわ)み 'extremity' will indicate something that is 'the ultimate (A)', 'the extreme (A)', or 'the epitome of (A)'. This may be used in either positive or negative sentences.
  • あと5分(ふん)待(ま)って居(い)れば私(わたし)が大好(だいす)きなアイドルに会(あ)えていたとは...痛恨(つうこん)の極(きわ)みだ。
    If only I had waited five more minutes, I would have met my favorite idol... It's the peak of despair.
  • 今(いま)までこんなに良(よ)くしてくれて、感激(かんげき)の極(きわ)みです。
    I am beyond thrilled that you have been so good to me so far.
  • 有給(ゆうきゅう)は取(と)るなとか鬼畜(きちく)の極(きわ)みだ。
    Telling us to not take paid time off? That's the epitome of being evil.
As 極(きわ)み itself is a noun, it will often be followed by the auxiliary verb だ, or the conjunctive form で when going on to describe something that is as a result of (A).
  • こんな景色(けしき)がいいところで、こんな美味(おい)しい料理(りょうり)を食(た)べられるなんて、なんて贅沢(ぜいたく)の極(きわ)みだ。
    It's the ultimate luxury to be able to eat such delicious food in such a scenic place.
  • この曲(きょく)の歌詞(かし)は感動(かんどう)の極(きわ)みで、聞(き)くたびに涙(なみだ)が溢(あふ)れ出(で)てくる。
    The lyrics of this song are the peak of emotion and bring tears to my eyes every time I listen to it.
Caution
の極(きわ)み is a structure that is paired with nouns, while 極(きわ)まる and 極(きわ)まりない are grammar patterns that will be paired with adjectives, despite the meanings being quite similar.

Examples

  • 小説(しょうせつ)：「ダイモス王(おう)はこの報道(ほうどう)を聞(き)いて、驚(おどろ)きの極(きわ)みに達(たっ)しました。」

    Novel: 'Hearing the news, the King Daimos reached the very peak of surprise.'

    極み often appears as 極みに達する and 極みにある.

  • 目上(めうえ)の人(ひと)にはじめて出会(であ)う時(とき)：「お目(め)に掛(か)かることができ、光栄(こうえい)の極(きわ)みです。」

    When meeting a superior for the first time: 'It is an extreme honor to be able to meet you.'

  • レストランサイト：「寿司(すし) - 日本(にほん)の極(きわ)み、主(おも)に米飯(べいはん)に魚介類(ぎょかいるい)など組(く)み合(あ)わせた和食(わしょく)です。」

    Restaurant website: 'Sushi - the epitome of Japan. This Japanese-style meal is made by combining fish and shellfish with cooked rice.'

  • 地震(じしん)によってビルに閉(と)じ込(こ)められた人々(ひとびと)は混乱(こんらん)の極(きわ)みにあった。

    The people trapped in the building due to the earthquake were in extreme (utter) turmoil.

  • 釈迦(しゃか)様(さま)は当初(とうしょ)贅沢(ぜいたく)の極(きわ)みを尽(つ)くした生活(せいかつ)をしていた。

    At first, Buddha lived an utterly luxurious life.

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