borde
nounCEFR B2
What does “borde” mean in English?
verge, edge — the edge or margin of something; on the verge of
verge, edge — the edge or margin of something; on the verge of (al borde del colapso; al borde de las lágrimas)
Example sentences
La economía mundial se encontraba al borde del colapso cuando los bancos centrales intervinieron de forma coordinada.
The global economy was on the verge of collapse when central banks intervened in a coordinated manner.
Los alpinistas llegaron al borde del precipicio y decidieron acampar antes de intentar el descenso.
The mountaineers reached the edge of the precipice and decided to camp before attempting the descent.
La empresa está al borde de la quiebra tras acumular deudas equivalentes al triple de su facturación anual.
The company is on the verge of bankruptcy after accumulating debts equivalent to three times its annual turnover.
How to use it
El borde (noun, masculine) means 'verge, edge, rim' — the edge or margin of something. Core B2 collocations: al borde de + noun (on the verge of); al borde del colapso/precipicio; en el borde de; el borde de la mesa/piscina. Also used colloquially in Spain to mean rude/unfriendly (ser un borde). The adjective in this sense is bordear (verb: to border/skirt). Distinguish from límite (limit — boundary beyond which one cannot go), margen (margin — space at the edge), and umbral (threshold).
Common mistake
Al borde de = on the verge of (figurative) — very high frequency at B2. In colloquial Spanish, ser un borde/estar borde = to be rude/unfriendly (completely different sense). 'Edge of the table' = el borde de la mesa. Don't confuse with orilla (bank/shore — natural edge near water).