Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
濒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
濒bīnto approachv, 16 strokes, radical 氵, rank #95800, Very Hard
濒bīnto border onv, 16 strokes, radical 氵, rank #95800, Very Hard
濒bīnnearv, 16 strokes, radical 氵, rank #95800, Very Hard
濒bīnto approach; near, on the verge ofv, 16 strokes, radical 氵, rank #95800, Very Hard
bīn(bin1) T1
  1. 1to approach
  2. 2to border on
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

濒(瀕)bīn(bin1)

The character 濒 (bīn) means 'to approach' or 'to border on.' It is often used in contexts relating to being near a certain condition or state, such as 'on the verge of' something. This character is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, often describing proximity to a situation or a location.

Strokes16Radical氵Frequency#95800DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of being near or on the verge of something is often reflected in poetry and literature, where the imagery of water and nature conveys deeper meanings about life and transitions. 濒 is sometimes used in environmental contexts, such as discussing endangered species nearing extinction.

Memory Tip

Imagine standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down at the water below, which is 'approaching' the shore. The radical 氵 (water) in 濒 suggests this connection to water, enhancing the idea of being near something fluid or dynamic. The pronunciation 'bīn' can remind you of 'being near' something important.

Meanings of 濒

bīn(bin1)
1to approach
2to border on
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 濒

濒Simplified
瀕Traditional
16Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#65535Frequency Rank

Podcast: 濒

JasonAmy

Podcast: 濒

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 濒

Quick Contrast

临 (lín): use 临 when referring to being close to a time or event; 濒 is more about approaching a condition or state.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 濒 with similar characters like 边 (biān), which means 'side' or 'edge.' It is essential to use 濒 in specific contexts that involve approaches or nearing situations. Be cautious of using it in informal conversations, as it is more suited for written language or formal speech.

HSK Study Tips

Although 濒 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to higher-level words related to proximity and conditions, such as 靠近 (kàojìn, to approach) and 临近 (línjìn, to be close to). Focus on understanding its nuanced usage in literature and formal writings.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 濒 in contexts where 边 would be more suitable, such as saying '我在濒边' (wǒ zài bīn biān, I am at the edge) instead of '我在边上' (wǒ zài biān shàng, I am at the side). Make sure to use 濒 when indicating an approach or nearness to a condition.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 濒

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 濒 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 濒

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 频 represents the sound. Simplified form of 瀕.

Memory Hint

water

Semantic (meaning)氵
+
Phonetic (sound)频
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 濒

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 频 represents the sound. Simplified form of 瀕.

  1. 1The meaning half氵 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half频 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywater
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 濒? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 濒?

Decomposition of 濒

IDS Structure⿰氵频
濒Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
频pin2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 濒?

How to say to approach in Chinese

“to approach” in Chinese is濒bīn

The character 濒 (bīn) means 'to approach' or 'to border on.' It is often used in contexts relating to being near a certain condition or state, such as 'on the verge of' something. This character is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, often describing proximity to a situation or a location.

When to use 濒

Learners often confuse 濒 with similar characters like 边 (biān), which means 'side' or 'edge.' It is essential to use 濒 in specific contexts that involve approaches or nearing situations. Be cautious of using it in informal conversations, as it is more suited for written language or formal speech.

濒 or something close to it

临 (lín): use 临 when referring to being close to a time or event; 濒 is more about approaching a condition or state.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 濒 in contexts where 边 would be more suitable, such as saying '我在濒边' (wǒ zài bīn biān, I am at the edge) instead of '我在边上' (wǒ zài biān shàng, I am at the side). Make sure to use 濒 when indicating an approach or nearness to a condition.

Write 濒

濒

Practice writing 濒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 濒

濒 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这种飞机在1942年年初就____临淘汰了。

The aircraft was nearing obsolescence by early

Example Sentences for 濒 (3)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这种飞机在1942年年初就濒临淘汰了。

zhè zhǒng fēi jī zài1942 1942 nián nián chū jiù bīn lín táo tài。

The aircraft was nearing obsolescence by early
2
他一周之内从这家濒临破产的企业里抽走了数千英镑的资金。

tā yī zhōu zhī nèi cóng zhè jiā bīn lín pò chǎn de qǐ yè lǐ chōu zǒu le shù qiān yīng bàng de zī jīn。

He had siphoned thousands of pounds a week from the failing business.
3
战后，哈迪家族濒于破产。

zhàn hòu， ， hā dí jiā zú bīn yú pò。

After the war, The House of Hardie came near to bankruptcy.

Word Family of 濒

Words Containing This Character6
濒临bīnlínon the edge of瀕臨
濒危endangered (species)瀕危
濒死nearing death瀕死
濒bīnnear瀕
濒于near to瀕於
濒近on the brink瀕近
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 濒临 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 濒

While 边 refers to the side or edge of something, 濒 specifically indicates being on the verge of a condition or near a situation.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 濒?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.