1.
to stand at a crossroads; to face a critical decision
To be at a turning point where an important choice must be made that will significantly affect the future.
人生の岐路に立っている。
I'm standing at a crossroads in life.
会社は今、大きな岐路に立たされている。
The company is now being confronted with a major crossroads.
転職するか今の仕事を続けるか、岐路に立った彼は何日も悩み続けた。
Facing the crossroads of whether to change jobs or stay at his current one, he agonized for days.
A set expression using 岐路 (forked road; crossroads) and 立つ (to stand). Almost always used figuratively to describe facing an important life or organizational decision. The passive form 岐路に立たされる (to be placed at a crossroads) emphasizes that external circumstances are forcing the decision.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 人生の岐路に立つ: to stand at a crossroads in life
- 重大な岐路に立つ: to face a critical crossroads
- 岐路に立たされる: to be placed at a crossroads (passive)
- 岐路に立った時: when facing a crossroads
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 転機を迎える: to reach a turning point — focuses on the moment of change rather than the choice
- 正念場: critical moment — emphasizes the pressure of the situation rather than the branching of paths
- 瀬戸際: the brink — more urgent, implying a do-or-die situation