Translation and Meaning of: 北極 - hokyoku

The word 「北極」 (hokkyoku) refers to the North Pole. This expression is composed of two kanji: 「北」 (hoku), which means "north," and 「極」 (kyoku), which means "pole" or "extreme." The origin of the kanji characters dates back to ancient China, where they are extensively used to convey complex ideas in few words. 「北」 is characterized by a radical of two strokes indicating direction, while 「極」 incorporates the sense of reaching an extreme or absolute point.

In geography, 「北極」 represents the northernmost point on Earth, located in the Arctic Ocean, which is covered by ice for most of the year. This term not only designates the pole itself but is often associated with the surrounding region, inhabited by unique species adapted to extreme climatic conditions, such as polar bears and Arctic foxes. The North Pole plays a vital role in maintaining the global climate balance, influencing ocean currents and weather patterns.

Historically, the concept of 「北極」 has fascinated explorers and adventurers, many of whom undertook arduous expeditions to reach the pole. Robert Peary is one of the best-known among these explorers, claiming to be the first to reach the North Pole in 1909, although the accuracy of his claim is debated. Furthermore, the North Pole is often a topic in stories and legends, symbolizing the extreme unknown and the challenge of conquering distant and adverse landscapes.

In addition to its literal meaning, 「北極」 can also be used in metaphorical and figurative contexts in the Japanese language. For example, the phrase could illustrate an extreme or decisive state of being in emotional or intellectual situations. This linguistic versatility demonstrates how certain words can transcend their literal sense to enter the symbolic sphere of everyday language.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 北極圏 (Hokkyokuken) - Arctic region
• 北極地帯 (Hokkyokuchitai) - Arctic Zone
• 北極点 (Hokkyokuten) - North Pole
• 極北 (Gokuhoku) - Extreme North
• 極地 (Gokuchi) - Extreme region (may refer to the Arctic or Antarctic)

北極

Romaji: hokyoku
Kana: ほっきょく
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: North Pole

Meaning in English: North Pole

Definition: Region located at the poles of the Earth, characterized by an extremely cold climate.

Example Sentences - (北極) hokyoku

See below some example sentences:

北極は氷の世界です。

Hokkyoku wa kōri no sekai desu

The Arctic is a world of ice.

The Arctic is the world of ice.

• 北極 - Proper name referring to Polo Norte.
• は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 氷 - "Noun meaning 'ice'."
• の - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between nouns.
• 世界 - Noun that means "world".
• です - The verb to be in the polite and formal form of Japanese.