Translation guide
A very steep or overhanging cliff or rock face, often used metaphorically for a dangerous or critical situation.
Describing a physical steep drop-off, such as a cliff or crag.
The most common and general word for a sheer cliff or precipice. Used in both literal and figurative contexts.
That mountain has a high precipice.
Be careful not to fall off the precipice.
A steep cliff, often used in literary or dramatic descriptions. Slightly more formal than 絶壁.
An old castle standing on a precipice.
General word for cliff or bluff. Can refer to any steep slope, not necessarily vertical. Less dramatic than 絶壁.
I looked down at the sea from the top of the cliff.
A sheer cliff, emphasizing the verticality. Used when you want to stress how steep it is.
Sheer cliffs line the coastline.
Metaphorically referring to a point of crisis or disaster, often in phrases like 'on the brink of a precipice'.
Means 'to be on the verge of a crisis' or 'to face imminent danger'. A natural way to express the figurative sense of being on a precipice.
The company is on the precipice of bankruptcy.
Literally 'strait', but used figuratively for a critical moment or brink. Often in phrases like 瀬戸際に立つ (stand at the precipice).
Colloquial term meaning 'edge of a cliff', used figuratively for being in a desperate situation, like 'on the brink'.
絶壁 is the most direct translation for a sheer precipice and is common in both literal and figurative use. 断崖 is more literary and often appears in written descriptions. 崖 is a general term for any cliff or steep slope, not necessarily vertical, and is less dramatic.
English 'precipice' is often used metaphorically (e.g., 'on the precipice of war'). Directly translating this as 絶壁の上にいる sounds unnatural. Use phrases like 危機に瀕している or 瀬戸際に立つ instead.
The economy is on the precipice of collapse.
They stood at the edge of the precipice, looking down.
彼は人生の瀬戸際に立っている。
He is standing at the precipice of his life.
We turned things around from a precipice situation.
A four-character compound meaning 'desperate situation' or 'last extremity'. Stronger and more dramatic than other options.
We overcame a precipice-like crisis.