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.
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.
会社は倒産の危機に瀕している。
The company is on the precipice of bankruptcy.
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.
経済は崩壊の危機に瀕している。
The economy is on the precipice of collapse.
彼らは絶壁の縁に立って、下を見下ろした。
They stood at the edge of the precipice, looking down.
その山には高い絶壁がある。
That mountain has a high precipice.
絶壁から落ちないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to fall off the precipice.
A steep cliff, often used in literary or dramatic descriptions. Slightly more formal than 絶壁.
断崖の上に立つ古城。
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.
崖の上から海を見下ろした。
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.
切り立った崖が海岸線に続いている。
Sheer cliffs line the coastline.
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).
彼は人生の瀬戸際に立っている。
He is standing at the precipice of his life.
Colloquial term meaning 'edge of a cliff', used figuratively for being in a desperate situation, like 'on the brink'.
崖っぷちの状況から逆転した。
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.
絶体絶命のピンチを乗り越えた。
We overcame a precipice-like crisis.