终极 zhōngjí ultimate
ultimate; final
How to remember 终极: 终 end + 极 extremely = ultimate.
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How it is used
- 'Ultimate/final', the last and highest of its kind - 终极目标 (zhōngjí mùbiāo) the ultimate goal; 终极目的 (zhōngjí mùdì) the final aim.
- Stronger and more absolute than 最终 (zuìzhōng, eventual/final in sequence); 终极 implies the very endpoint beyond which there's nothing.
- Adjective before abstract nouns (goal, weapon, answer); a bit dramatic in tone.