This is the 1860th most frequent Japanese word.
極
"極" (kyoku) means "extreme," "ultimate," "pole," or "utmost."
極 is used as part of the compound 極限, meaning 'utmost limit', showing the extreme level of something.
彼の努力は極限まで達した。
His efforts reached the utmost limit.
極 serves as a prefix in 極上, meaning 'exquisite' or 'finest', emphasizing the superior quality.
この料理は極上の味わいだ。
This dish has an exquisite taste.
Here, 極 is in the compound 極端, which translates to 'extreme', reflecting an extreme degree or manner.