JLPT N1 Grammar
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Extremely; to the limit
Category: Emphasis and Degree
The grammar pattern "なA + 極まりない / いAいこと + 極まりない" is used to express that a state has reached its absolute extreme, usually in a negative or critical sense. This pattern emphasizes the severity of a situation or the degree of a particular trait. It is often used to convey a sense of shock, surprise, or disapproval. For example, "彼の態度は、社会人として不届き極まりない" means "His behavior is utterly unacceptable for a member of society."
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Na-adjective form | なA + 極まりない | 不届き極まりない (futōki kiamarinai) - utterly unacceptable |
| I-adjective form (with koto) | いAいこと + 極まりない | 危険極まりないこと (kiken kiamarinai koto) - extremely dangerous |
| Na-adjective form (with koto) | なAいこと + 極まりない | 残念なこと極まりない (zannen na koto kiamarinai) - extremely regrettable |
彼の態度は、社会人として不届き極まりない。
Kare no taido wa, shakaijin toshite futōki kiamarinai.
His behavior is utterly unacceptable for a member of society.
彼の態度は (his behavior is), 社会人として (as a member of society), 不届き極まりない (utterly unacceptable)
命綱なしで崖を登るなんて、危険極まりない話だ。
Meikaku nashi de gai o noboru nante, kiken kiamarinai hanashi da.
It's an extremely dangerous story to climb a cliff without a safety rope.
命綱なしで (without a safety rope), 崖を登るなんて (to climb a cliff), 危険極まりない (extremely dangerous)
せっかくのチャンスを逃すとは、残念なこと極まりない。
Sekkaku no chansu o nakusu to wa, zannen na koto kiamarinai.
It's extremely regrettable to miss such a great opportunity.
せっかくのチャンスを (such a great opportunity), 逃すとは (to miss), 残念なこと極まりない (extremely regrettable)
This pattern is used to emphasize the severity of a situation or the degree of a particular trait. It is often used in negative or critical contexts. Note that this pattern is not suitable for positive or neutral situations. It is also not used to express personal emotions, unlike "kagiri da."
For example, "abunai kiamarinai" is incorrect; the correct form is "abunai koto kiamarinai."
This pattern is not suitable for positive or neutral situations. It is used to emphasize the severity of a negative or critical situation.
Unlike 'kagiri da,' this pattern is not used to express personal emotions. It is used to emphasize the severity of a situation or the degree of a particular trait.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to include 'koto' when using i-adjectives and use it in negative or critical contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with 'kagiri da' or use it for positive or neutral situations.
彼の態度は、社会人として不届き______。
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