极为 (jí wéi) — extremely, exceedingly

Definition

Written-form adverb meaning 'extremely,' stronger in tone than the everyday 极. Pairs most naturally with two-syllable adjectives (极为重要).

adverb
extremelyexceedingly
Easily confused

Examples

  • 极为，。
    Zhè ge fāng àn jí wéi zhòng yào, wǒ men bì xū rèn zhēn kǎo lǜ.
    This plan is extremely important; we must consider it carefully.
  • 极为，。
    Tā de tài dù jí wéi yǒu hǎo, dà jiā dōu hěn xǐ huan tā.
    His attitude is extremely friendly; everyone likes him very much.
  • 极为，。
    Zhè ge wèn tí jí wéi fù zá, xū yào gèng duō shí jiān yán jiū.
    This problem is extremely complex and needs more time to study.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

极jívery; utmost
为wèivery

极 and 为 both mean very, so 极为 expresses an extremely high degree.

Characters in this word

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 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Open 为 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Comparison & Degree

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.