This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

のるかそるかの瀬戸際まできた。

Sentence Analyzer

のる そる 瀬戸際 まで きた

English Translation

The situation has come to the point where we either sink or swim.

Furigana

のるかそるかの瀬戸際(せとぎわ)まできた。

Romanji

Noru ka soru ka no setogiwa made kita.

Words

乗る (のる)
to get on (train, plane, bus, ship, etc.); to get in; to board; to take; to embark; to get on (e.g. a footstool); to step on; to jump on; to sit on; to mount; to reach; to go over; to pass; to follow; to stay (on track); to go with (the times, etc.); to take part; to participate; to join; to get into the swing (and sing, dance, etc.); to be deceived; to be taken in; to be carried; to be spread; to be scattered; to stick; to attach; to take; to go on
()
indicates a question (sometimes rhetorical); or; whether or not; some- (e.g. something, someone); indicates doubt, uncertainty, etc.; emphatic prefix; suffix forming adjectives or adverbs; in that way
剃る (そる、する)
to shave
()
indicates possessive; nominalizes verbs and adjectives; substitutes for "ga" in subordinate phrases; (at sentence-end, falling tone) indicates a confident conclusion; (at sentence-end) indicates emotional emphasis; (at sentence-end, rising tone) indicates question
瀬戸際 (せとぎわ)
brink; critical moment
(まで)
until (a time); till; to; up to; to (a place); as far as; to (an extent); up to; so far as; even; only; merely
抉る (えぐる、くる)
to gouge; to hollow out; to bore; to excavate; to scoop out; to greatly perturb; to cause emotional pain; to get to the bottom of things; to relentlessly bring the truth to light

Kanji

Readings: ライ、 せ
Meanings: rapids, current, torrent, shallows, shoal
Readings: コ、 と
Meanings: door, counter for houses, door radical (no. 63)
Readings: サイ、 きわ、 -ぎわ
Meanings: occasion, side, edge, verge, dangerous, adventurous, indecent, time, when