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.
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.
on the brink of launch
on the brink of death
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.
He stands on the brink of a new era.