Border on Meaning in English
expression
ˈbɔɹdɝ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
BOR-der awn
bˈɔːdɐ/ /ˈɒn
BAW-duh on
Definition
To be very close to a particular quality, state, or condition, either physically (touching the edge) or figuratively (almost being something).
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used to express that something is almost a certain extreme, often negative or surprising, e.g., 'border on ridiculous.' Used both literally (geographical borders) and figuratively (qualities or states). Often followed by a noun or adjective: 'border on genius.'
Spanish: rozar - lindar conPortuguese (BR): beirar - quase serPortuguese (PT): roçar - quase serChinese (Simplified): 接近于 - 几乎是Chinese (Traditional): 接近於 - 幾乎是Hindi: लगभग होना - सीमाना करनाArabic: يُشبه إلى حد كبير - يقترب منBengali: সীমান্তবর্তী হওয়া - প্রায় স্পর্শ করা - প্রায় পরিণত হওয়াRussian: граничить сJapanese: ほとんど～のようである - ～に近いVietnamese: gần như - sát vớiKorean: 거의 ~에 가깝다 - ~와 경계를 이루다Turkish: -e/e yakın olmak - sınır olmakUrdu: کے قریب ہونا - سرحد پر ہوناIndonesian: hampir seperti - berbatasan dengan
Example Sentences
His actions border on rude.
basic
His house borders on the park.
basic
Her fear of germs borders on obsession.
basic
That joke borders on being offensive.
natural
Some of his theories border on science fiction.
natural
Her excitement borders on hysteria whenever she talks about the concert.
natural