分ぶん水すい嶺れい

noun

watershed; divide

Geographical term for a ridge or line that separates drainage basins; also used in environmental and planning contexts.

• この山さん脈みゃくが太たい平へい洋よう側がわと日本にほん海かい側がわの分ぶん水すい嶺れいになっている。

  This mountain range forms the watershed between the Pacific side and the Sea of Japan side.

noun

turning point; watershed moment; moment of truth

Figurative use for a decisive event or period that marks a major change in a situation, career, or history.

• あの試し合あいが彼かれの人じん生せいの分ぶん水すい嶺れいになった。

  That match became the turning point of his life.

• この選せん挙きょは国くにの将しょう来らいを決きめる分ぶん水すい嶺れいだ。

  This election is a watershed moment that will determine the country's future.