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极端 (jí duān) — (adjective) extreme; (adverb) extremely; (noun) extreme

Definition

极端 is the only HSK word here that also works as a noun meaning 'the extreme / an extreme' (走极端 go to extremes). As an adjective/adverb it is stronger and more loaded than 极, 极其, 极为, which are all 'extremely' with no noun use.

adjective
extreme
adverb
extremely
noun
extreme

Examples

  • 。
    Tā de yì jiàn tài jí duān le.
    His opinion is too extreme.
  • 极端。
    Zhè jiàn shì jí duān zhòng yào.
    This matter is extremely important.
  • 。
    Nǐ bú yīng gāi zǒu jí duān.
    You shouldn't go to extremes.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

极jíextreme
端duānend

极 means 'extreme' and 端 means 'end', together the utmost end.

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 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Abstract Concepts5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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