极其

• Pinyin: jí qí
• Hanzi breakdown: 极 = 木 (wood) + 及 (to reach) — the utmost point; 其 = 八 (eight) + 甘 — demonstrative pronoun, phonetic

Meaning

Extremely; exceedingly; to the highest degree. A formal intensifier stronger than 很 or 非常.

More formal and emphatic than 非常 or 特别. Used in written language, news, and formal speech. Always placed before adjectives or psychological verbs. Common collocations include 极其重要 (extremely important), 极其困难 (extremely difficult), and 极其罕见 (extremely rare).

Examples

1. 这项任务极其重要，大家一定要认真对待。 This task is extremely important — everyone must take it seriously.
2. 在沙漠中找到水源是极其困难的。 Finding a water source in the desert is extremely difficult.
3. 这种植物在城市里极其罕见。 This type of plant is extremely rare in cities.

Usage Guide

Context: written language, news, formal speech

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 这个问题极其复杂。(This problem is extremely complex.)
• 他的表现极其出色。(His performance was exceptionally outstanding.)

Don't Say

• 我极其饿了 (Sounds overly formal for casual conversation — use 特别饿 or 饿死了 for everyday speech)

Origin & History

极 (extreme, utmost) + 其 (that, such) — to such an extreme degree.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal