Translation guide
Expresses that an action or event is about to happen immediately. Japanese uses several grammar patterns and set phrases to convey this nuance, depending on formality and whether the focus is on the imminent action or the state just before it.
The speaker is just about to perform an action, or an event is imminent.
Attach the volitional form of a verb to とする. Indicates that someone is just about to do something, often with a sense of intention or attempt. Very common in spoken and written Japanese.
家を出ようとしたとき、電話が鳴った。
Just as I was about to leave the house, the phone rang.
彼は何かを言おうとしたが、やめた。
He was on the point of saying something, but stopped.
Describes being very close to a particular state, often negative or extreme.
Literally 'just before N'. Used for being on the brink of something, often negative like collapse, death, or failure.
彼は倒れる寸前だった。
He was on the point of collapsing.
会社は倒産の寸前だ。
The company is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Both mean 'about to do', but ところだ focuses on the timing (just before the action), while ようとする often includes the subject's intention or effort. ようとする can also be used for things beyond one's control when in the ようとしている form.
出かけるところだ。
I'm just about to go out. (focus on timing)
出かけようとしている。
I'm trying to go out / on the point of going out. (focus on intention or imminent action)
Do not translate 'on the point of' word-for-word into Japanese. Phrases like ポイントの上に are nonsensical. Use the grammar patterns above.
Used with the dictionary form of a verb. Emphasizes that the action is just about to happen, often with a sense of being at that very moment. Neutral formality.
今、出かけるところです。
I'm just on the point of going out.
映画が始まるところだ。
The movie is about to start.
The volitional form + としている. Similar to ようとする but often describes a situation where something is on the verge of happening, not necessarily by someone's will. Can be used for inanimate subjects.
太陽が沈もうとしている。
The sun is on the point of setting.
彼は泣き出そうとしている。
He is on the verge of bursting into tears.
Past tense of ところだ. Indicates that something almost happened but didn't. Often used to express relief or regret.
危うく電車に乗り遅れるところだった。
I was on the point of missing the train.
Used with the stem of a verb + そうだ. Emphasizes that something looks like it's about to happen any moment, based on observation. Often used for weather or physical states.
今にも雨が降りそうだ。
It looks like it's on the point of raining.
Indicates that a situation has progressed to the point where something is about to happen. Often used for gradual processes.
交渉は決裂するところまで来ている。
Negotiations are on the point of breaking down.
Similar to 今にも～そうだ but with a verb. Emphasizes the imminent occurrence of an action based on appearance.
今にも泣き出しそうな顔をしている。
She has a face that looks on the point of crying.