Quick answer
極 is the kanji for "Extreme". It is a JLPT N2 kanji. The main reading is きわ.める (kiwameru). Stroke-order practice is available below.
Meaning
Extreme
Also : Very · Most · Poles · Highly
Learn 極 with SRS
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
12 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 極 represents 'POLES'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of poles.
On-reading: きょく — remember this sound by associating it with poles. Kun-reading: きわ.める.
Example Sentences
今回の決断は、会社の将来に極めて重要な影響を与えることになります。
こんかいのけつだんは、かいしゃのしょうらいにきわめてじゅうような えいきょうをあたえることになります。
This decision will have an extremely significant impact on the company's future.
北極探検の映像を見ました。
ほっきょくたんけんのえいぞうをみました。
I watched footage of Arctic exploration.
Vocabulary using 極
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun] + に伴い～に伴い (ni tomonai) - Along with / In accordance with
- [Noun] + をはじめ～をはじめ (wo hajime) - Starting with / Including
- [Noun] + に応じて～に応じて (ni oujite) - According to / In response to
- [Noun] + から + [Noun] + にかけて～にかけて (ni kakete) - From...to / In the area of
- [Noun] + に限り～に限り (ni kagiri) - Limited to / Only
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
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