Translation guide
The state of being about to happen, often with a sense of urgency or inevitability. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases rather than a single direct equivalent.
The imminence of the danger was clear.
Expressing that something is about to happen soon, often with a sense of urgency.
A noun meaning urgency or imminence, often used in formal or serious contexts like danger or deadlines.
I felt the imminence of danger.
A noun form of the verb 差し迫る, emphasizing that something is pressing or imminent.
I feel the imminence of the deadline.
A common phrase meaning 'is approaching closely' or 'is imminent', used for events.
The exam is imminent.
Literally 'presses before one's eyes', meaning something is imminent and unavoidable.
Departure is imminent.
Specifically expressing that something bad or threatening is about to happen.
Used in news, reports, or academic writing to describe impending events.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'imminence'. Translating it directly as 切迫 or 差し迫り may sound unnatural in casual speech. Often, rephrasing with a verb phrase like 迫っている is more natural.
A storm is imminent.
A four-character idiom meaning 'a touch and it will explode', describing a highly volatile, imminent conflict.
Relations between the two countries are on the brink of war.
With the election imminent, the candidates are busy.