边缘 biānyuán edge
edge; fringe; verge; brink; periphery; marginal; borderline
How to remember 边缘: 边 side + 缘 reason = edge.
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How it is used
- The edge / margin / brink - literal or figurative - 悬崖边缘 (xuányá biānyuán) the edge of the cliff; 濒临破产的边缘 on the brink of bankruptcy.
- Very common in 边缘 as "marginal/peripheral": 边缘人物 a marginal figure; 被边缘化 to be marginalized.
- Stresses being at the outer limit or on the verge of something; more figurative and dramatic than 边 (biān, side) or 边界 (boundary line).