ぎりぎり
ぎりぎり
adverb
just barely; at the last moment; on the edge
1.
just barely; at the last moment
Describes doing something with no time or margin to spare, just making it.
ぎりぎりで電車に間に合った。
I just barely made it on time for the train.
締め切りぎりぎりに提出した。
I submitted it right at the deadline.
試験にぎりぎりで合格した。
I just barely passed the exam.
2.
at the limit; to the edge
Describes being at the very limit of something, with no room for error.
予算がぎりぎりだ。
The budget is at its limit.
ガソリンがぎりぎりで心配だ。
The gas is almost empty and I'm worried.
スーツケースに荷物をぎりぎりまで詰めたので、閉めるのが大変だった。
I packed the suitcase to the brim, so it was hard to close.
ぎりぎり is an onomatopoeic word (擬態{語|ぎたいご}) expressing a tight margin or limit.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ぎりぎりで間に合う: to just barely make it
- ぎりぎりまで: until the last moment
- ぎりぎりの状態: at the limit, barely managing
NUANCE: Often implies stress or lack of planning.