Grammar
N1 verb-grammar

Utterly extreme 〜極まりない

Meaning

"Extremely ~", "~ in the extreme" — an emphatic, usually critical judgement.

Formation

Notes

Takes na-adjectives with a negative colour (危険, 失礼, 不愉快) and belongs to written criticism. 極まりない and 極まる mean the same thing despite the negative ending.

Examples

That driving is extremely dangerous.

Breakdown
driving dangerous in the extreme

I find his attitude extremely rude.

Breakdown
attitude rude in the extreme

This handling of the matter is thoroughly unpleasant.

Breakdown
response, handling unpleasant in the extreme

It was an utterly irresponsible plan, with insufficient preparation.

Breakdown
lack of preparation irresponsible in the extreme plan

The same task every day is boring in the extreme.

Breakdown
every day the same task boring in the extreme

⚠️ Often confused with

About / to the extent 〜くらい

An approximate amount — "about ~" — or a degree — "to the extent that ~".

The more … the more 〜ば〜ほど

"The more ~, the more ~" — one thing increases as another does.

To the extent 〜ほど

Gives a yardstick for how much — "so ~ that …", "to the extent of ~".

Even 〜さえ

Picks an extreme example — "even ~". If this much is true, the rest follows.

Precisely 〜こそ

Singles something out for emphasis — "this is the one that ~", "precisely ~".

Even going so far as 〜てまで

"Even going so far as to ~".

Beyond description 〜といったらない

"Indescribably ~", "~ beyond words" — an exclamation of extremity.

Ending up badly 〜始末だ

"It ended up ~ (of all things)" — a bad process reaches a worse conclusion.