Korean word

극히

Pronunciation

Romanizationkeuki

Meaning

  • adverbextremely

Example

그 일은 극히 위험할 수 있다.keu i reun keu ki wi heom hal ssu it tta

That matter can be extremely dangerous.

Illustration for 극히 (extremely)

More examples

그 문제는 극히 복잡하다.keu mun je neun keu ki pok jja pa da

That problem is extremely complex.

Core concept

A written-language intensifier that pushes a description toward its maximum strength.

Similar words

매우maeu: Marks a very high degree in clear, often formal statements.
아주aju: Marks a very high degree in ordinary spoken descriptions.
정말cheongmal: Strongly shows the speaker's feeling or judgment, such as surprise or admiration.
너무neomu: Shows a very high degree and can also mean that a limit has been crossed.

Definition in Korean

매우라는 뜻의 부사로, 특히 문어적·격식적 표현에서 강한 강조를 나타낼 때 자주 쓰인다.mae u ra neun tteu sui pu sa ro teu ki mu neo jeok kyeok ssik jjeok pyo hyeo ne seo kang han kang jo reul na ta nael ttae cha ju sseu in da

Word origin

The word is formed from the Sino-Korean element 극 (geu, "utmost or extreme") and 히 (ki, "adverb-forming ending"), which together create an adverb of strong emphasis.

Usage tips

  • It is a useful choice for formal statements, but it can sound stiff in relaxed conversation.

Opposites

Related words

  • 극심하다keukssimhadasevereadjective

Word lists with this word