…极了

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 极了 (jíle) is an intensifier that is used to emphasize the degree or extent of something. It is often translated as "very" or "extremely." The word 极了 is composed of two characters: 极 (jí), which means "extreme" or "utmost," and 了 (le), which is a grammatical particle that indicates completion or emphasis.The character 极 (jí) is derived from the oracle bone script, which is the earliest known form of Chinese writing. In the oracle bone script, the character 极 is depicted as a person standing on top of a mountain, with their arms raised in the air. This image represents the idea of reaching the highest point or limit of something.The character 了 (le) is also derived from the oracle bone script. In the oracle bone script, the character 了 is depicted as a hand holding a knife. This image represents the idea of cutting something off or completing a task.When the two characters 极 and 了 are combined, they form the word 极了 (jíle), which means "very" or "extremely." This word is used to emphasize the degree or extent of something, and it can be used with both positive and negative adjectives. For example, you could say 非常好 (fēicháng hǎo, "very good") or 非常坏 (fēicháng huài, "very bad").The word 极了 is a versatile intensifier that can be used in a variety of contexts. It is a useful word to know for HSK learners who want to express themselves more precisely in Chinese.