Think of it this way: 極度极度 jídù answers “how intense is this state?” while 極力极力 jílì answers “how hard is this person trying?”
1 極度极度 jídù — “Extremely” (State)
Modifies an adjective or psychological/physical state — often pairs with negative emotions, psychological states, severe conditions, or strong stances.
Words like: 恐懼恐惧 kǒngjù, 痛苦痛苦 tòngkǔ, 危險危险 wēixiǎn, 反感反感 fǎngǎn, 疲勞疲劳 píláo, 貧困贫困 pínkùn, or 緊張紧张 jǐnzhāng.
長時間工作讓他極度疲勞长时间工作让他极度疲劳
Working for a long time left him extremely fatigued.
這個地區的居民生活在極度貧困之中这个地区的居民生活在极度贫困之中
Residents of this area live in extreme poverty.
面試前他感到極度緊張面试前他感到极度紧张
He felt extremely nervous before the interview.
她並不極度排斥這個想法她并不极度排斥这个想法
She doesn’t extremely reject this idea.
這樣的壓力是否會讓人極度崩潰？这样的压力是否会让人极度崩溃？
Could this kind of pressure cause someone to completely break down?
2 極力极力 jílì — “With All One’s Might” (Effort)
Modifies verbs of effort or persuasion — 反對反对 fǎnduì, 推薦推荐 tuījiàn, 否認否认 fǒurèn, 勸阻劝阻 quànzǔ.
他極力反對這項提案他极力反对这项提案
He strongly opposed this proposal.
醫生極力勸阻他抽菸医生极力劝阻他抽烟
The doctor strongly urged him to stop smoking.
她極力否認自己有做錯任何事她极力否认自己有做错任何事
She strongly denied having done anything wrong.
朋友們極力推薦這部電影朋友们极力推荐这部电影
My friends strongly recommended this movie.
他並沒有極力爭取這個機會他并没有极力争取这个机会
He didn’t strive hard to fight for this opportunity.
| Word | Meaning | Modifies |
|---|
| 極度极度 jídù |
Extremely — describes a state |
Adjective / psychological state |
| 極力极力 jílì |
With all one’s might — describes an effort |
Verb of effort or persuasion |
3 Common Mistake
Mixing the two up — 極度极度 jídù with an action verb, or 極力极力 jílì with a static adjective — sounds off.
❌
他極度反對這項提案通過他极度反对这项提案通过
✅
他極力反對這項提案通過他极力反对这项提案通过
反對反对 fǎnduì is an action of effort — arguing, pushing back — so it takes 極力极力 jílì, not 極度极度 jídù. 極度极度 jídù is reserved for describing a state or feeling, not an active effort.
4 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01She felt extremely lonely after the divorce.
離婚後，她感到極度孤獨离婚后，她感到极度孤独
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02The lawyer strongly argued for his client’s innocence.
律師極力主張當事人是無辜的律师极力主张当事人是无辜的
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03Is he extremely unhappy about this arrangement?
他對這個安排極度不滿嗎？他对这个安排极度不满吗？
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04He tried hard to persuade her to stay.
他極力勸她留下來他极力劝她留下来
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05This region’s water resources are extremely scarce.
這個地區的水資源極度匱乏这个地区的水资源极度匮乏
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06She didn’t try hard to explain the misunderstanding.
她並沒有極力解釋這個誤會她并没有极力解释这个误会
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07Was he extremely disappointed by the result?
他對結果極度失望嗎？他对结果极度失望吗？
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08The committee strongly recommended this candidate.
委員會極力推薦這位候選人委员会极力推荐这位候选人
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09The manager is extremely satisfied with the team’s performance.
經理對團隊的表現極度滿意经理对团队的表现极度满意
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10She tried her best to comfort the crying child.
她極力安慰哭泣的孩子她极力安慰哭泣的孩子
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