Extremely (极了)
adjective + 极了
极了 is a degree complement placed after an adjective to mean "extremely" or "to the utmost degree," expressing a very high intensity of the quality described.
Pattern
Subject + Adjective + 极了
Explanation
极了 is attached directly after an adjective to express the highest degree — "extremely" or "couldn't be more so." The character 极 means "extreme" or "utmost," and 了 here marks the actualization of this extreme state. Together, Adjective + 极了 is one of the most emphatic ways to describe intensity in Chinese.
This complement is commonly used with both positive and negative adjectives: 好极了 (extremely good), 糟糕极了 (extremely terrible), 漂亮极了 (extremely beautiful). It works with monosyllabic and disyllabic adjectives alike, though it is most natural with common, everyday adjectives.
极了 is different from 非常 or 特别 in that it is a complement (placed after the adjective) rather than an adverb (placed before). You cannot combine them: saying 非常好极了 is redundant and incorrect. Also note that 极了 is used for actual descriptions, not comparisons — it does not compare two things but simply states an extreme degree.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Wrong
非常好极了。
Correct
好极了。 / 非常好。
Do not combine 非常 (adverb before adjective) with 极了 (complement after adjective). Choose one or the other.
Wrong
他极了高兴。
Correct
他高兴极了。
极了 is a complement and must come after the adjective, not before it.
Related Grammar Points
HSK 4 grammar
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Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.