南極
Nankyoku
In Japanese, Antarctica is 南極 (Nankyoku).
南極 is a common way to say Antarctica in everyday conversations.
Meaning: southernmost continent (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters for 'south' (南) and 'pole' (極).
Which one should you use?
While 南極 (Nankyoku) refers to the continent of Antarctica, it is also the standard term for the South Pole.
How do you pronounce it?
Nankyoku
Did you know?
- The character 極 (kyoku) in 南極 also appears in the word 極楽 (gokuraku), which means 'paradise' or 'nirvana' in Buddhist contexts.
- The character 極 (kyoku) can also mean 'to master' or 'to reach the end' of a skill, such as in the phrase 極める (kiwameru).
- In some Japanese contexts, the character 極 (kyoku) is used to denote the 'very' or 'extremely' in adverbs, much like the English 'extremely'.
Examples in context
- 南極は寒いです。Antarctica is cold.
- 南極はとても寒いです。Nankyoku wa totemo samui desu.Antarctica is very cold.
- 南極の調査に行きたいです。Nankyoku no chousa ni ikitai desu.I want to go to Antarctica for research.
- 南極にはペンギンがいます。Nankyoku ni wa pengin ga imasu.There are penguins in Antarctica.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a geography book at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くん、南極ってどこにあるの？Youta-kun, Nankyoku tte doko ni aru no?Youta, where is Antarctica located?
- 陽太 Yota地球の一番南にあるよ。Chikyuu no ichiban minami ni aru yo.It is at the southernmost part of the Earth.
- 結衣 Yuiすごく遠そうだね。Sugoku too soo dane.It looks very far away.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね、結衣さん。Sou dane, Yui-san.That's true, Yui.
