淵ふち

noun

deep pool; deep water; abyss

Refers to a deep, still part of a river or body of water. Often contrasted with 瀬 (shallow rapids).

See also: 瀬

• 川かわの淵ふちには大おおきな魚さかなが潜ひそんでいる。

  Big fish lurk in the deep pools of the river.

• 彼かれは淵ふちに飛とび込こんだ。

  He jumped into the deep water.

noun

depths (of despair, etc.); grip (of death, etc.)

Figurative use for being in a deep, inescapable state, such as despair or death. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts.

• 彼かれは絶ぜつ望ぼうの淵ふちに立たたされた。

  He was driven to the depths of despair.

• 死しの淵ふちから生せい還かんした。

  He returned from the brink of death.