极了
HSK 3- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 'adjective + 极了' is used to express the highest degree, meaning 'extremely' or 'incredibly'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
极了 (jí le) is a degree complement placed directly after an adjective to emphasize that the quality has reached its highest level. It carries a strong exclamatory tone, equivalent to "extremely," "incredibly," or "to the utmost" in English.
This structure is most commonly used with positive adjectives to express praise, but can also appear with negative adjectives to convey complaints or to emphasize how bad something is.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这里的风景美极了！繁: 這裡的風景美極了！Zhèli de fēngjǐng měi jí le!
The scenery here is absolutely beautiful!
- 这个办法好极了！繁: 這個辦法好極了！Zhège bànfǎ hǎo jí le!
This approach is extremely good!
- 今天我高兴极了。繁: 今天我高興極了。Jīntiān wǒ gāoxìng jí le.
I am extremely happy today.
- 这件衣服贵极了。繁: 這件衣服貴極了。Zhè jiàn yīfu guì jí le.
This outfit is extremely expensive.
- 他做的饭好吃极了。繁: 他做的飯好吃極了。Tā zuò de fàn hǎochī jí le.
The rice he cooked is extremely delicious.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:这个地方极了漂亮。Correct:这个地方漂亮极了。
极了 is a degree complement that must follow an adjective, not precede it like an adverb in Vietnamese.
- Wrong:他非常高兴极了。Correct:他高兴极了。
Do not use 非常 (or 很, 太) together with 极了 because both indicate a high degree and create redundancy.