How to say "brink" in Japanese

• 瀬戸際せとぎわCommon
  nounThe figurative 'brink': a critical, decisive moment at which the outcome could tip either way. Use it for being on the brink of a crisis, a decision, or success or failure.
  のるかそるかの瀬戸際せとぎわまできた。↗

  The situation has come to the point where we either sink or swim.
• 機先きせんCommon
  nounNot really a 'brink' word: it means the moment just before something happens or before one does it, the verge of acting. For the critical-moment sense of 'brink' it is seldom what you want.
• 縁ふちJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe literal, physical sense: the rim, brim, or edge of something — the brink of a cliff, say. It does not convey a figurative critical moment; for that, 瀬戸際 is the word.
  彼かれらは水瓶みずがめを縁ふちまで一杯いっぱいにした。↗

  They filled the jug to the brim.
• 土俵際どひょうぎわCommon
  nounLiterally the edge of the sumo ring, where a wrestler faces being forced out; figuratively a last-ditch, do-or-die moment when one is on the verge of defeat and makes a final stand.

Use 縁 for a literal edge or brim, 瀬戸際 for a figurative critical juncture, 土俵際 for a last-ditch final moment, and 機先 only for the instant just before something happens.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 瀬戸際せとぎわbrink
• 機先きせんmoment just before something happens
• 縁ふちrim
• 際きわedge
• 外縁がいえんbrink
• 土俵際どひょうぎわverge
• 崖っぷちがけっぷちperilous position