JLPT N1 grammar
〜の極み — Meaning & Examples
"The pinnacle / epitome of" — attaches to nouns. 贅沢の極み = height of luxury; 痛恨の極み = deepest regret. Formal, top-of-scale.
〜の極み — "The Pinnacle Of"
の極み（のきわみ）attaches to nouns and means "the height / pinnacle / epitome of."
Pattern: [noun] + の極み
この旅館の料理は贅沢の極みだ。
= The food at this inn is the height of luxury.
痛恨の極み。
= A matter of the deepest regret. (a famous set phrase)
多くの方に支えていただき、感激の極みです。
= Supported by so many people — I am deeply moved.
Common set combinations:
・贅沢の極み = height of luxury
・痛恨の極み = deepest regret
・感激の極み = deeply moved
・疲労の極み = utter exhaustion
極まりない vs の極み:
・極まりない → na-adjective stems, usually critical (失礼極まりない)
・の極み → nouns, either glowing or grave (贅沢の極み・痛恨の極み)
Key feeling: The absolute top of the scale — reserved for strong, formal statements.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜の極み. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which set phrase means "the folly of youth"?
- 光栄の至り (kouei no itari)
- 痛恨の極み (tsuukon no kiwami)
- 贅沢の極み (zeitaku no kiwami)
- 若気の至り (wakage no itari)
Show answer
Answer: 若気の至り (wakage no itari)
若気の至り（わかげのいたり）= youthful indiscretion — looking back with a wince.
2. 贅沢の極み means?
- A little luxurious
- The height of luxury
- Not luxurious
- Wasteful and cheap
Show answer
Answer: The height of luxury
の極み = the pinnacle of. 贅沢の極み = the absolute height of luxury.
3. Which is the natural pairing?
- 贅沢極まりない (praising)
- 光栄といったらない (formal ceremony)
- 痛恨の極み (deepest regret)
- 退屈の至り (award speech)
Show answer
Answer: 痛恨の極み (deepest regret)
痛恨の極み = a matter of the deepest regret — a famous set combination with の極み.
Practise 〜の極み in the free app
This point is part of the “Extreme Degree — 極まりない・の極み・の至り・といったらない” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Extreme Degree — 極まりない・の極み・の至り・といったらない
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜の極み mean?
"The pinnacle / epitome of" — attaches to nouns. 贅沢の極み = height of luxury; 痛恨の極み = deepest regret. Formal, top-of-scale.
Is 〜の極み on the JLPT N1 test?
〜の極み is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Extreme Degree — 極まりない・の極み・の至り・といったらない”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜の極み?
Open the “Extreme Degree — 極まりない・の極み・の至り・といったらない” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.