临

臨

lín

〢 + 丶 + 𠂉 + 𫩏

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

lín (verb) to face; to overlook

lín (verb) to arrive; to approach

lín (adverb) about to; just before

Etymology

Simplified form of 臨. Depicts a person (人) looking (臣) down at a pile of objects (品). 品 also represents the sound. Based on the original meaning, "to look down". The meaning has shifted over time and now means "draw near".

About

临 is the simplified form of 臨, which depicts a person (人) looking (臣) down at a pile of objects (品), with 品 also giving the sound. Its original meaning, "to look down", shifted over time to "draw near", and from there extended to arriving at a place or attending an event, often in formal or respectful contexts. The character also serves as a preposition indicating that something is just about to happen.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们临时决定去公园。

Wǒmen línshí juédìng qù gōngyuán.

We temporarily decided to go to the park.

他面临很大的压力。

Tā miànlín hěn dà de yālì.

He faces a lot of pressure.

欢迎光临我们的商店。

Huānyíng guānglín wǒmen de shāngdiàn.

Welcome to our store.

期末考试临近了。

Qīmò kǎoshì línjìn le.

The final exam is approaching.

医生在临床工作。

Yīshēng zài línchuáng gōngzuò.

The doctor works in clinical practice.

他正在临摹一幅古画。

Tā zhèngzài línmó yī fú gǔhuà.

He is copying an ancient painting.

在面临困难时，他从不放弃。

Zài miànlín kùnnán shí, tā cóng bù fàngqì.

When facing difficulties, he never gives up.

临出发前，她检查了所有的行李。

Lín chūfā qián, tā jiǎnchále suǒyǒu de xínglǐ.

Just before departure, she checked all the luggage.

Related Characters

Component: 〢

Component: 丶

Component: 𠂉

Component: 𫩏

Example Words