两极 liǎngjí the two poles
the two poles; the north and south poles; both ends of something; electric or magnetic poles
How to remember 两极: 两 two + 极 extremely = the two poles.
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How it is used
- 'The two poles' - 地球两极 (dìqiú liǎngjí) the Earth's poles; also the poles of a magnet or battery 电池两极 (diànchí liǎngjí).
- Figurative: two opposite extremes - 两极分化 (liǎngjí fēnhuà) polarization (e.g. rich vs poor), a common social-science term.
- 极 = extreme/pole; the word captures maximal opposition or the far ends of a spectrum.