Translation guide
Expresses that something is about to happen, often with a sense of imminence or near occurrence. Japanese uses several grammar patterns and set phrases depending on whether the event is neutral, negative, or a sudden change.
今にも泣き出しそうだ。
I'm on the verge of tears.
会社は倒産の寸前だ。
The company is on the verge of bankruptcy.
The most common, neutral way to say someone is on the verge of doing something or that an event is imminent.
Attach to the volitional form of a verb. Indicates that an action or event is just about to take place. Works for both intentional and unintentional events.
彼は家を出ようとしている。
He is on the verge of leaving the house.
The sun is about to set.
Used with the dictionary form of a verb. Emphasizes the immediate moment before an action. Often used for intentional actions.
今、出かけるところです。
I'm just about to go out.
Combines 今にも (at any moment) with the そうだ form (looks like). Conveys that something seems about to happen based on observation.
今にも雨が降りそうだ。
It looks like it's about to rain.
When the situation is serious, dangerous, or undesirable. Often used with nouns like 危機 (crisis) or 崩壊 (collapse).
Literally 'just before N'. Strongly implies a critical or dangerous point. Common with words like 崩壊 (collapse), 破産 (bankruptcy), 死 (death).
会社は倒産の寸前だ。
The company is on the verge of bankruptcy.
彼は死の寸前だった。
He was on the verge of death.
Means 'at the critical moment' or 'brink'. Often used for decisive, life-changing situations. Slightly more dramatic than 寸前.
彼は生死の瀬戸際に立っている。
He is standing on the verge of life and death.
Used with the stem of a verb + そうになる. Indicates that something almost happened (usually negative). Often implies a narrow escape.
車にひかれそうになった。
I was on the verge of being hit by a car.
Describes being about to cry, laugh, or explode with emotion.
Standard way to say 'on the verge of tears'. 今にも (at any moment) + verb stem + そうだ.
彼女は今にも泣き出しそうだった。
She was on the verge of tears.
Literally 'holding back crying'. Describes the state of being on the verge of tears but trying to suppress them.
彼は泣くのをこらえているようだった。
He seemed to be on the verge of tears, holding them back.
Used when someone is on the verge of laughing but trying to suppress it.
彼は笑いをこらえきれなかった。
He couldn't hold back his laughter; he was on the verge of laughing.
Used for positive or neutral imminent changes, discoveries, or achievements.
Literally 'before one's eyes'. Used for events that are imminent and visible, like success or completion.
成功は目前だ。
Success is on the verge of being achieved.
Means 'within reach of N'. Often used for goals or dreams that are almost realized.
夢に手が届くところだ。
I'm on the verge of reaching my dream.
Both mean 'about to do', but V（よ）うとしている can be used for involuntary events (e.g., sun setting), while Vるところだ is typically for intentional actions by a person. Vるところだ also emphasizes the immediate moment more strongly.
日が沈もうとしている。
The sun is about to set. (natural, involuntary)
日が沈むところだ。
The sun is at the point of setting. (less common, sounds like a scheduled event)
Do not try to translate 'verge' literally as 縁 (ふち) or 端 (はし). These refer to physical edges, not the abstract sense of imminence. Use the patterns above instead.