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15 strokes
Frequency: 1756
JLPT N1
Grade 8

Meanings

hard up
destitute
suffer
perplexed
cornered

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
キュウ
キョウ
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
きわ.める
きわ.まる
きわ.まり
きわ.み

Common Words

わめ
窮める
Transitive
Ichidan verb
Freq #5971
1

to carry to extremes; to go to the end of something; to reach the limits of something

2

to reach the peak of something (e.g. luxury, hardships, etc); to be extremely (e.g. busy)

Examples
多くの運動選手は青年時代に盛りを極める
Most athletes are at their best during their early manhood.
3

極める only

to exhaust completely; to have nothing left (e.g. to say)

ゅうきょく
窮極
~する Verb
Noun
Intransitive
~の Adj.
Freq #6314
1

ultimate; final; last; eventual

Examples
人類の究極的運命はどうなるであろうか。
What is man's ultimate destiny?
ゅうくつ
~な Adj.
Noun
Freq #6658
1

narrow; tight; cramped

Examples
列車のコンパートメントはすぐ窮屈になる。
Train compartments soon get cramped.
2

formal; stiff; strict; ceremonious; rigid

3

constrained; uncomfortable

4

tight (e.g. finances)

窮まりない
極まり無い
窮まり無い
わまりな
~い Adj.
Freq #9315
1

Suffix; Suffix often in kana

extremely; in the extreme; knows no bounds (e.g. rudeness); unparalleled

Examples
その机は、乱雑極まりない状態だ。
The desk is in a state of total disorder.
2

boundless (e.g. universe, ocean); limitless

ゅうち
Noun
Freq #9503
1

dilemma; predicament

Examples
その大臣は不正取引によって窮地に立ちました。
The minister was in a fix over illegal dealings.
窮み
わみ
Noun
Freq #12134
1

height; acme; extremity; peak

2

end; limit

かんきわまる
Godan verb
Intransitive
Freq #12434
1

to be overcome with emotion

Examples
彼女は感極まって声もたえだえになった。
Her voice broke with emotion.
窮まる
わま
Godan verb
Freq #12623
1

Intransitive verb

to reach an extreme; to reach a limit; to terminate; to come to an end

Examples
下品極まる盛り場に通いつける。
He haunts the lowest resorts.
2

Auxiliary verb; Noun or verb acting prenominally; After adjectival noun. e.g. 退屈極まる話

extremely

3

Intransitive verb; Esp. 窮まる. occ. 谷まる

to be stuck; to be in a dilemma; to be at a loss

4

Intransitive verb

to be decided; to be settled

ゅうする
Intransitive
Freq #20274
1

Suru verb - special class

to be at a loss; to be puzzled; to be perplexed; to be at one's wit's end; to be in a dilemma; to not know what to (do, say, etc)

2

Suru verb - special class

to be pressed for; to be pinched for; to become poor; to be reduced to poverty

んきゅう
~する Verb
Noun
Intransitive
Freq #20578
1

poverty; need; destitution

Examples
その家族はきわめて困窮していた。
The family lived in the depths of misery.
2

having great difficulty with; struggling greatly with; being in distress

Examples
彼は仕事をくびになってから困窮している。
He has been in deep water since he got fired from his job.
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