occasion · edge

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is さい, and the kun reading is きわ. It has 14 strokes. It appears in words for reality and the moment just before an event.
• Basic usage: 実際 is read じっさい and 間際 is read まぎわ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 実際 / 間際
  • 実際 means reality or actually and is read じっさい. It refers to reality or what actually happened, often in contrast with an impression.
  • 写真で見るより、実際の建物はずっと大きかった。 means “The building was much larger in reality than in the photograph.”
  • 間際 means just before or last moment and is read まぎわ. It refers to the moment just before departure or closing.
  • 出発間際になって忘れ物に気づいた。 means “Only just before departure did I notice that I had left something behind.”