threshold en 30 secondes
- A threshold is literally the entrance to a room or building, specifically the floor piece you step over to get inside.
- Metaphorically, it represents the beginning of a new experience, era, or stage in life, such as the threshold of a career.
- In science and economics, it is the specific level or limit that triggers a reaction or a change in status.
- Commonly used in phrases like 'on the threshold of' to indicate that a significant event is about to happen very soon.
The word threshold functions primarily as a noun and carries both literal, physical meanings and more abstract, metaphorical ones. At its most basic level, a threshold is the piece of wood, stone, or metal that forms the bottom of a doorway. When you enter a house, you physically step over the threshold. This physical object serves as the boundary between the outside world and the interior of a sanctuary. However, in modern English, we use 'threshold' much more frequently in a figurative sense to describe the starting point of a new experience, a limit that must be reached for an effect to occur, or the brink of a significant change.
- Physical Boundary
- The actual floor strip at an entrance.
- Starting Point
- The beginning of a new era, project, or stage in life.
- Intensity Limit
- The level at which a stimulus is strong enough to be perceived or produce a response.
She stood on the threshold of the old cottage, hesitant to enter the dusty room.
The company is on the threshold of a major technological breakthrough.
He has a very low threshold for pain, meaning he feels it very quickly.
Crossing the threshold into adulthood involves many new responsibilities.
The tax threshold was raised to help low-income families.
Historically, the word comes from Old English 'therscold', related to 'threshing' grain. People used to scatter straw (thresh) on the floors, and the threshold was the piece of wood that kept the straw from sliding out the door. Today, we use it to describe everything from economic limits to biological reactions. When we say someone is 'on the threshold of greatness,' we are painting a picture of them standing at a door that leads to a magnificent future, ready to take that final step into a new reality.
Using 'threshold' correctly depends on whether you are talking about architecture, psychology, or general life transitions. In most cases, it is used with the prepositions at, on, or across. You stand at the threshold, you are on the threshold of a discovery, and you walk across the threshold. When discussing scientific or economic limits, we often use verbs like reach, exceed, lower, or raise.
- With Verbs
- Cross, reach, pass, lower, raise, establish.
- With Adjectives
- Pain, sensory, economic, low, high, critical.
If the noise levels exceed the legal threshold, the factory will be fined.
You will encounter 'threshold' in various professional and daily contexts. In medicine, doctors talk about 'pain thresholds'—the point at which a patient begins to feel pain. In economics, you'll hear about 'income thresholds' for tax brackets or social benefits. In literature, it's a common metaphor for a character entering a new world or phase of life. In technology, software might have a 'threshold' for triggering an alert or an automated action.
- In Science
- The 'threshold frequency' in physics is the minimum frequency to eject electrons.
- In Law
- The 'threshold of evidence' required to bring a case to trial.
One common mistake is confusing 'threshold' with 'boundary' or 'limit' in a way that loses the sense of 'beginning.' While all thresholds are limits, not all limits are thresholds. A threshold specifically implies that something starts once the point is passed. Another mistake is spelling; many people try to add a second 'h' (threshhold), but the correct spelling has only one 'h' in the middle.
Several words share a semantic space with 'threshold.' Brink and verge are very close, but 'brink' often implies a dangerous or negative situation (the brink of disaster), whereas 'threshold' is more neutral or positive. Entrance is the literal synonym for the physical doorway. Dawn is a metaphorical synonym for the beginning of an era (the dawn of a new age).
How Formal Is It?
Guide de prononciation
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Prepositional phrases with 'on' and 'at'.
Using nouns as adjectives (threshold frequency).
Gerunds following 'threshold of'.
Articles with countable nouns.
Abstract vs. Concrete nouns.
Exemples par niveau
The dog waited at the threshold of the house.
Le chien attendait au seuil de la maison.
Noun used with the preposition 'at'.
Please step over the threshold.
S'il vous plaît, enjambez le seuil.
Imperative sentence.
The threshold is made of stone.
Le seuil est en pierre.
Simple subject-verb-complement.
She stood on the threshold.
Elle se tenait sur le seuil.
Past tense of stand.
Is the threshold high?
Le seuil est-il haut ?
Question form.
Clean the threshold before the guests arrive.
Nettoyez le seuil avant l'arrivée des invités.
Action verb.
The threshold is painted white.
Le seuil est peint en blanc.
Passive voice.
Watch your step at the threshold.
Faites attention à votre pas au seuil.
Common warning phrase.
They are on the threshold of a new life.
Ils sont au seuil d'une nouvelle vie.
Metaphorical use.
He paused at the threshold of the room.
Il s'est arrêté au seuil de la pièce.
Verb 'pause' shows hesitation.
The threshold was old and worn.
Le seuil était vieux et usé.
Descriptive adjectives.
She crossed the threshold into the garden.
Elle a franchi le seuil vers le jardin.
Verb 'cross' is common with threshold.
Every house has a threshold.
Chaque maison a un seuil.
General statement.
The threshold keeps the water out.
Le seuil empêche l'eau d'entrer.
Functional description.
He left the package on the threshold.
Il a laissé le colis sur le seuil.
Location preposition 'on'.
We stood on the threshold of the museum.
Nous nous tenions au seuil du musée.
Plural subject.
The country is on the threshold of war.
Le pays est au seuil de la guerre.
Abstract 'on the threshold of' + noun.
She has a high threshold for pain.
Elle a un seuil de tolérance à la douleur élevé.
Scientific/Biological use.
This discovery brings us to the threshold of a new era.
Cette découverte nous amène au seuil d'une nouvelle ère.
Brings us to the threshold.
The tax threshold was lowered this year.
Le seuil d'imposition a été abaissé cette année.
Economic context.
I felt like I was on the threshold of a dream.
J'avais l'impression d'être au seuil d'un rêve.
Poetic usage.
The noise threshold is 80 decibels.
Le seuil de bruit est de 80 décibels.
Technical limit.
He was hesitant to cross the threshold of adulthood.
Il hésitait à franchir le seuil de l'âge adulte.
Symbolic crossing.
The company reached the threshold for profitability.
L'entreprise a atteint le seuil de rentabilité.
Business context.
The project is on the threshold of completion.
Le projet est sur le point d'être achevé.
Status indicator.
Environmental changes have reached a critical threshold.
Les changements environnementaux ont atteint un seuil critique.
Adjective 'critical' modifies threshold.
The sensor triggers when the light passes a certain threshold.
Le capteur se déclenche lorsque la lumière dépasse un certain seuil.
Conditional logic.
We are on the threshold of making history.
Nous sommes sur le point de marquer l'histoire.
Idiomatic expression.
Her income is just below the threshold for financial aid.
Son revenu est juste en dessous du seuil pour l'aide financière.
Comparative 'below the threshold'.
The medicine raised his pain threshold significantly.
Le médicament a considérablement augmenté son seuil de douleur.
Verb 'raised' + threshold.
They stood at the threshold of the unknown.
Ils se tenaient au seuil de l'inconnu.
Literary tone.
The threshold for passing the exam is 70%.
Le seuil de réussite à l'examen est de 70 %.
Requirement context.
The economy is hovering on the threshold of a recession.
L'économie oscille au seuil de la récession.
Verb 'hovering' adds nuance.
There is a psychological threshold beyond which people stop caring.
Il existe un seuil psychologique au-delà duquel les gens cessent de s'en soucier.
Complex relative clause.
The threshold frequency is essential for the photoelectric effect.
La fréquence de seuil est essentielle pour l'effet photoélectrique.
Specific scientific terminology.
We must define the threshold for acceptable risk.
Nous devons définir le seuil de risque acceptable.
Abstract noun phrase.
The poem explores the threshold between life and death.
Le poème explore la frontière entre la vie et la mort.
Thematic analysis.
Once the threshold is breached, the system fails.
Une fois le seuil franchi, le système tombe en panne.
Passive 'is breached'.
The candidate failed to meet the threshold of votes required.
Le candidat n'a pas réussi à atteindre le seuil de voix requis.
Formal political context.
He stood on the threshold of a profound realization.
Il était au seuil d'une prise de conscience profonde.
Introspective usage.
The civilization stood on the threshold of total collapse.
La civilisation était au bord de l'effondrement total.
High-stakes narrative.
Subliminal messages operate below the threshold of conscious perception.
Les messages subliminaux opèrent en dessous du seuil de perception consciente.
Advanced psychological term.
The threshold of the new millennium brought unforeseen challenges.
Le seuil du nouveau millénaire a apporté des défis imprévus.
Historical perspective.
The legal threshold for 'beyond reasonable doubt' is high.
Le seuil juridique du « hors de tout doute raisonnable » est élevé.
Legal jargon.
She was teetering on the threshold of madness.
Elle vacillait au seuil de la folie.
Evocative verb 'teetering'.
The experiment seeks to identify the threshold of toxicity.
L'expérience cherche à identifier le seuil de toxicité.
Formal scientific inquiry.
The threshold of the cathedral was worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims.
Le seuil de la cathédrale avait été poli par des siècles de pèlerins.
Descriptive narrative.
Quantum mechanics operates at the threshold of our understanding.
La mécanique quantique opère au seuil de notre compréhension.
Epistemological context.
Antonymes
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Souvent confondu avec
Brink usually implies danger; threshold is neutral.
Verge is often used for time (on the verge of); threshold for levels.
Doorstep is only physical; threshold is both physical and abstract.
Expressions idiomatiques
Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
Threshold implies a transition, while 'limit' just implies an end.
Use 'on' for states and 'at' for locations.
- Spelling it as 'threshhold'.
- Using 'in the threshold' instead of 'at' or 'on'.
- Using it to mean a 'ceiling' or 'maximum' (it usually means the 'floor' or 'minimum' to start).
- Confusing it with 'windowsill'.
- Using it for very small, unimportant changes.
Astuces
One 'H' Only
Always remember that there is only one 'h' in the middle of threshold. It is not 'thresh-hold'. Think of it as 'thresh' + 'old'. This will help you avoid a common mistake.
Positive vs Negative
Use 'threshold' for neutral or positive transitions. Use 'brink' if you are talking about something bad like a disaster. This makes your English sound more natural. It shows you understand the 'mood' of words.
Preposition Choice
Use 'on the threshold of' when followed by a noun like 'success' or 'war'. Use 'at the threshold' when referring to a physical location. This distinction is subtle but important. It helps clarify if you are being literal or metaphorical.
Scientific Context
When reading science papers, 'threshold' usually means a 'trigger point'. Look for what happens once that point is reached. It is often the key to understanding the whole experiment. It is a very common 'academic' word.
Pronunciation
The 'th' is soft like in 'think'. The 'sh' is like in 'shoe'. Practice saying 'thresh' then 'old' quickly together. Don't pause too long in the middle. It should flow as one smooth word.
Metaphorical Power
Use 'threshold' in the introduction of an essay about change. It sets a serious and sophisticated tone. It sounds much better than just saying 'the beginning'. It paints a picture for the reader.
Context Clues
If you hear 'threshold' in a business meeting, it's likely about money or goals. If you hear it in a hospital, it's likely about pain or symptoms. Use the environment to guess the specific meaning. This is a great way to learn polysemous words.
Traditions
Knowing the tradition of carrying a bride over the threshold helps you understand it in movies. It represents a 'new start' and 'protection'. This cultural knowledge makes the word more memorable. It links the word to an image.
Variety
Don't over-use 'threshold'. If you have used it once, try 'verge' or 'brink' or 'start' next time. Variety makes your writing more interesting. But 'threshold' is often the most precise choice for limits.
The 'Door' Connection
Always link the abstract meaning back to the physical door. Just as you enter a new room, you enter a new state. This 'mental bridge' will help you remember all the different uses. It's the core concept of the word.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
The THRESHold is where you THRESH (step) into the OLD house.
Origine du mot
Old English
Contexte culturel
Carrying the bride over the threshold.
The 'Threshold Guardian' in Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey.
In some cultures, it is bad luck to stand directly on the threshold.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"What is your pain threshold like?"
"Do you feel we are on the threshold of a technological revolution?"
"Have you ever stood on the threshold of a major life decision?"
"What is the threshold for success in your career?"
"Do you remember crossing the threshold of your first home?"
Sujets d'écriture
Describe a time you were on the threshold of a big change.
What does the 'threshold of adulthood' mean to you?
Write about a physical threshold that is special to you.
Reflect on your threshold for stress.
Imagine standing on the threshold of a new planet. What do you see?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is spelled 'threshold' with only one 'h' in the middle. This is a very common spelling error. The word comes from 'thresh' and 'old'. Even though it sounds like 'thresh-hold', the second 'h' is not there. Always double-check this in your writing.
A pain threshold is the point at which a person begins to feel pain. It is different for everyone. Some people have a high threshold, meaning they can handle a lot. Others have a low threshold and feel pain quickly. It is a common term in medical contexts.
No, you usually use it for a point or a place. You wouldn't call a person a threshold. However, you can say a person is 'at the threshold'. It describes their position or state. It is not a personality trait.
Yes, it is considered a relatively formal word. In casual conversation, people might say 'start' or 'entrance'. However, 'threshold' is very common in news, science, and literature. It adds a level of precision to your English.
It means that something is just about to happen. It is used for big, important changes. For example, 'on the threshold of a discovery'. It suggests excitement and anticipation. It is a very common idiomatic expression.
In economics, it refers to a specific level of money. For example, a 'tax threshold' is the amount you must earn before you pay tax. If you earn below the threshold, you pay nothing. If you earn above it, you start paying. It is a crucial term for financial policy.
Traditionally, it was made of wood or stone. In modern buildings, it can be metal or plastic. It is the part of the door frame that meets the floor. Its job is to seal the gap under the door. It also helps keep water and wind out.
Yes, it is countable. You can have one threshold or many thresholds. For example, 'The different thresholds for various taxes'. You can use it with 'a', 'the', or in the plural form. It follows standard noun rules.
It is the minimum level of a stimulus that a person can detect. For example, the quietest sound you can hear is your hearing threshold. It is used in psychology and biology. It helps scientists understand how our senses work.
In general English, no. However, in some technical fields like image processing, it is used as a verb. Engineers might say they are 'thresholding an image'. But in 99% of cases, you should use it as a noun.
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Summary
The word 'threshold' is a versatile noun that transitions from a physical architectural feature (a doorstep) to a conceptual trigger point (a limit or beginning). It is essential for describing boundaries, starts, and sensory limits across various fields.
- A threshold is literally the entrance to a room or building, specifically the floor piece you step over to get inside.
- Metaphorically, it represents the beginning of a new experience, era, or stage in life, such as the threshold of a career.
- In science and economics, it is the specific level or limit that triggers a reaction or a change in status.
- Commonly used in phrases like 'on the threshold of' to indicate that a significant event is about to happen very soon.
One 'H' Only
Always remember that there is only one 'h' in the middle of threshold. It is not 'thresh-hold'. Think of it as 'thresh' + 'old'. This will help you avoid a common mistake.
Positive vs Negative
Use 'threshold' for neutral or positive transitions. Use 'brink' if you are talking about something bad like a disaster. This makes your English sound more natural. It shows you understand the 'mood' of words.
Preposition Choice
Use 'on the threshold of' when followed by a noun like 'success' or 'war'. Use 'at the threshold' when referring to a physical location. This distinction is subtle but important. It helps clarify if you are being literal or metaphorical.
Scientific Context
When reading science papers, 'threshold' usually means a 'trigger point'. Look for what happens once that point is reached. It is often the key to understanding the whole experiment. It is a very common 'academic' word.
Exemple
The threshold for approval is 60%.
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