Translation guide
Expresses that something is about to happen very soon, often with a sense of urgency or inevitability. Japanese uses various grammar patterns and verbs depending on whether the event is negative, neutral, or a natural occurrence.
The speaker indicates that an event or action is on the verge of occurring, without strong emotional coloring.
Attach to the volitional form of a verb. Indicates that something is just about to happen, often used for both animate and inanimate subjects.
電車が出ようとしている。
The train is about to depart.
雨が降ろうとしている。
It's about to rain.
Used when something almost happened but didn't, or is on the brink of happening. Often implies a narrow escape or a close call.
事故が起きそうになった。
An accident was imminent (but didn't happen).
A noun/adjective meaning 'close at hand' or 'imminent', often used for events like deadlines, seasons, or scheduled occurrences.
試験が間近に迫っている。
The exam is imminent.
The speaker emphasizes that something bad is about to happen, often with a sense of threat or urgency.
Same pattern as above, but context makes the negative nuance clear. Works for both animate and inanimate threats.
危険が迫ろうとしている。
Danger is imminent.
Verb meaning 'to be imminent' or 'to press hard', typically used for danger, crisis, or deadlines. Often in the form 差し迫った (modifying a noun) or 差し迫っている.
差し迫った危険がある。
There is imminent danger.
締め切りが差し迫っている。
The deadline is imminent.
Noun/suru-verb meaning 'imminent' or 'pressing', often used in formal or written contexts for danger, crisis, or tense situations.
Verb meaning 'to approach' or 'to draw near', often used for time limits, danger, or physical threats. Can be used alone or in patterns like ～に迫る.
The speaker notes that a natural event (sunset, season, storm) is about to occur.
Commonly used for seasons, events, or natural occurrences that are just around the corner.
春が間近だ。
Spring is imminent.
Works for natural events like sunrise, sunset, or seasonal changes.
日が沈もうとしている。
The sun is about to set.
Used in news, reports, or official statements to indicate that something is expected to happen very soon.
Literally 'before one's eyes', used formally to mean 'imminent' or 'just ahead'. Often paired with に迫る or にしている.
開幕が目前に迫っている。
The opening is imminent.
Formal term for pressing or imminent situations, often used in news about crises or deadlines.
差し迫る emphasizes the urgency and pressure of an impending event, often negative. 切迫 is more formal and often used for tense situations or crises. 迫る is a general verb for approaching, and can be used for both physical and temporal proximity.
English 'be imminent' is often translated as 差し迫っている or 迫っている, but using these for trivial or positive events can sound overly dramatic. For neutral 'about to' situations, use ～ようとしている or ～そうになる instead.
情勢が切迫している。
The situation is imminent/critical.
Danger is imminent.
期限が切迫している。
The deadline is imminent.