noun, noun, used as a suffix
Refers to the physical edge or brink of something, or the immediate vicinity. Often used in spatial contexts.
崖の際に立つと足がすくむ。
My legs freeze when I stand at the edge of the cliff.
道路の際に花が植えてある。
Flowers are planted along the side of the road.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
time; moment of; on the occasion of
Used as a suffix (often read ぎわ) to indicate the time or moment when something happens. Common in formal or written contexts.
出発の際には忘れ物に注意してください。
Please be careful not to forget anything at the time of departure.
緊急の際はこのボタンを押してください。
In case of emergency, please press this button.
Kana spelling is acceptable, especially when the reading is unambiguous.
The kanji 際 originally means 'boundary' or 'juncture', which extended to 'edge' and later to 'time/occasion'. The reading きわ is native Japanese, and the voiced variant ぎわ occurs in compounds.