The kanji 際 means "occasion," "time," "circumstance," "edge," or "situation." It often refers to a point in time, a specific instance, or a border or boundary. It can also imply something that is on the verge of happening or a critical moment.

・On-yomi (音読み): サイ ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): きわ

⚫︎その際際は、ご連絡いたします。 Translation: We will contact you at that time. ⚫︎出発の際に、忘れ物がないか確認してください。 Translation: Please check that you haven't forgotten anything when you depart. ⚫︎国際的な問題。 Translation: International issues.

The kanji 際 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). It combines the "氵" (water radical, meaning "water") with the phonetic component "祭" (meaning "to offer a sacrifice"). The original meaning may have related to offerings made at specific points or occasions, reflecting a sense of time or circumstance. The inclusion of the "氵" (water) element may subtly hint at fluidity or transitions associated with a certain occasion.