極限

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 極限 is read as きょくげん and is a noun for the utmost limit or an extreme state in which little further movement or endurance is possible.
• Basic usage: Pushing something fully appears in 極限まで高める, while reaching an extreme state appears in 極限状態に達する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Limit and extreme state
  • It can name an endpoint of capacity or a condition in which a person or system has been pushed to an extreme.
• Difference from 限界
  • 限界 is a limiting boundary generally; 極限 more strongly emphasizes the furthest possible point or an extreme degree.