Meaning

Primary

To The Last

Alternatives

Stubbornly, Purely, Strictly

Word Type

adverb

Explanation

You learned as "bored," but remember how it could also mean "sated"? Well, the 飽く in this expression means "to be sated." Add on までも, and you get "even until sated." If you do something even until you're totally sated, then you must be doing it to the last. You're sticking to it stubbornly.

Oh, and this expression has another common use too: purely or strictly. As in, "this is purely hypothetical," or "this is strictly my own opinion." You want folks to remember TO THE LAST that your comments shouldn't be taken as a blanket statement.

In modern writing, you'll often just see this written in kana as あくまでも.

Reading

あくまでも
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You learned this reading already when you learned 飽きる so you should be able to read this one too!

Context

Context Sentences

「飽くまでも、これは個人的な見解です」

"I must stress that this is only my personal opinion."

会議でそう前置きした田中さんは、今回の計画には飽くまでも反対だと主張した。

After prefacing his remarks that way at the meeting, Tanaka stubbornly maintained his opposition to the plan.

そんな田中さんに、部長は、会社としては飽くまでも予定どおり進めるつもりだと笑顔で答えた。

The department head smiled and told Tanaka that the company was firmly determined to proceed as planned.

翌朝、田中さんは「飽くまでも自分から辞めるんです」と言い残し、机を片づけて会社を去った。

The next morning, Tanaka said, "I'm quitting purely of my own accord," cleared out his desk, and departed the office.

部長は彼のことを聞かれても、飽くまでも「個人的な事情による辞職です」で押し通した。

Even when asked about Tanaka, the department head strictly maintained that he had "resigned for for personal reasons."

Kanji Composition