究極・窮極|きゅうきょくkyuukyoku[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
究極究極 is the more common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; you will encounter it more often than 窮極.
窮極窮極 is a rarely used written variant, so learners will seldom encounter it and should not choose it by default.
Definitions
- no-adjective, suru verb, intransitive verbultimate; final; last; eventual
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 究極する（きゅうきょくする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 究極します（きゅうきょくします） |
| Negative (nai) | 究極しない（きゅうきょくしない） |
| polite (masen) | 究極しません（きゅうきょくしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 究極せず・究極せぬ（きゅうきょくせず・きゅうきょくせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 究極した（きゅうきょくした） |
| polite (mashita) | 究極しました（きゅうきょくしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 究極しなかった（きゅうきょくしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 究極しませんでした（きゅうきょくしませんでした） |
| Te form | 究極して（きゅうきょくして） |
| Potential | 究極できる（きゅうきょくできる） |
| Passive | 究極される（きゅうきょくされる） |
| Causative | 究極させる（きゅうきょくさせる） |
| Causative passive | 究極させられる（きゅうきょくさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 究極すれば（きゅうきょくすれば） |
| tara | 究極したら（きゅうきょくしたら） |
| Volitional | 究極しよう（きゅうきょくしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 究極しましょう（きゅうきょくしましょう） |
| Imperative | 究極しろ（きゅうきょくしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Related極限きょくげんNeutralNeutral. Refers to a limit, as in 「体力の極限」; it stresses the boundary of what one can endure, while 「究極」 is the final, highest point something is pushed to.
- Related極端きょくたんNeutralNeutral. Means extreme, as in 「極端な考え」; it stresses leaning heavily to one side, not a final goal.
- Related極度きょくどNeutralNeutral. Means a degree at its peak, as in 「極度の疲労」; it is about degree, while 「究極」 is the final, highest stage.
- Related極点きょくてんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means the pole or peak; it stresses the abstract highest point.
- Related極まりきわまりWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means the extreme point or end, often in 「〜極まりない」; it stresses a degree reaching its peak.
- Antonym初歩しょほNeutralNeutral. Means the basics or rudiments, as in 「初歩の英語」; the opposite of 「究極」 as the highest level.
- Antonym途中とちゅうNeutralNeutral. Means midway or on the way; the opposite of the final 「究極」.
Use 「究極」 for the final, highest point something is pushed to, as in 「究極の選択」「究極の目標」. For reaching a limit say 「極限」, for degree 「極度」; 「初歩」 and 「途中」 are its opposites.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
