存亡(そんぼう)

存亡(そんぼう) refers to a matter of survival - whether something will continue to exist or perish. Used in dramatic or critical situations.

Forms

存(そん) (exist) + 亡(ぼう) (perish) = existence vs. destruction

Common expressions

• 存亡(そんぼう)の危機(きき): crisis threatening survival
• 存亡(そんぼう)がかかっている: survival is at stake
• 存亡(そんぼう)に関(かか)わる: concerning survival
• 存亡(そんぼう)の瀬戸際(せとぎわ): on the brink of survival

Usage

• 会社(かいしゃ)の存亡(そんぼう): company's survival
• 国家(こっか)の存亡(そんぼう): nation's survival
• 組織(そしき)の存亡(そんぼう): organization's survival

Register

Formal/literary. Used in serious contexts about critical situations.