Translation guide
Expresses being very close to a critical or extreme situation, often negative. Japanese uses various constructions depending on whether the brink is a noun, a verb, or an idiomatic phrase.
To say that someone or something is about to experience a disaster, crisis, or undesirable outcome.
Literally 'at the critical juncture of ~'. Used for serious situations like life/death, success/failure, war/peace. Attach to a noun.
He is on the brink of life and death.
The company is on the brink of bankruptcy.
Literally 'just before ~'. Very common and versatile. Attach to a noun or verb stem.
He was on the brink of exploding with anger.
The negotiations are on the brink of breaking down.
Formal expression meaning 'facing the crisis of ~'. Often used in news or serious contexts.
The country is on the brink of civil war.
Literally 'about to do ~'. Used with verbs. Less dramatic than 'brink', but conveys imminent action.
She was on the brink of tears.
Literally 'one step before ~'. Emphasizes the closeness to a state. Casual nuance.
He was on the brink of snapping.
To express being on the verge of a breakthrough, discovery, or significant achievement.
Literally 'right before one's eyes'. Used for imminent success or realization of a goal.
Success is on the brink.
They are on the brink of a major discovery.
Literally 'just before the moment of ~'. Often used for temporal proximity to an event.
Literally 'stand on the edge of ~'. Poetic or literary expression for being on the brink of something profound.
He stands on the brink of a new era.
寸前 is more common and can be used for both positive and negative situations, while 瀬戸際 is reserved for critical, often life-or-death junctures. 寸前 attaches to nouns or verb stems, 瀬戸際 attaches to nouns.
Do not translate 'on the brink of' word-for-word as ～の縁に. This is not idiomatic Japanese. Use the patterns above instead.
On the brink of departure, he realized he had forgotten something.