走极端 (zǒu jí duān) — to go to extremes, to adopt an extreme stance

Definition

A colloquial verb meaning to go to extremes — to take or insist on an extreme position instead of a balanced one. Often carries a negative tone, as in the example 不要走极端 ('don't go too far').

verb
to go to extremesto adopt an extreme stance

Examples

  • 。
    Tā zài zhè ge wèn tí shàng zǒu le jí duān.
    He went to extremes on this issue.
  • 走极端，。
    Bú yào zǒu jí duān, yào lěng jìng sī kǎo.
    Don't go to extremes; stay calm and think.
  • 走极端，。
    Tā zǒng ài zǒu jí duān, dà jiā dōu bù xǐ huan tā.
    He always likes to go to extremes, so everyone dislikes him.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

走zǒugo
极端extreme end
极jíutmost端duānend
偏正Modifier + head

走 means go, and 极端 means extreme end, giving to go to extremes.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The original shape showed a running man, with a foot added later.

Open 走 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùtree, wood
Sound part声符shēngfú
及
及jí极jí
Same sound today

极 pairs 木 (tree, wood) with 及, which provides the sound.

Open 极 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
立立lì
Sound part声符shēngfú
耑
耑zhuān端duān
Same sound today

端 is made by putting 立 beside 耑. The 立 part is connected to the meaning, and 耑 gives the sound.

Open 端 →

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