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临 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
临línto faceHSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 丨, rank #7971, Hard
临línto overlookHSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 丨, rank #7971, Hard
临línto arriveHSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 丨, rank #7971, Hard
临línto be (just) about toHSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 丨, rank #7971, Hard
临línjust beforeHSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 丨, rank #7971, Hard
临línto draw near, to approach; to descendHSK 7, v, 9 strokes, radical 丨, rank #7971, Hard
lín(lin2) T2
  1. 1to face
  2. 2to overlook
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
临(臨)lín(lin2)

临 (lín) means to face or approach something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone or something is coming close to a location or moment, such as arriving at a destination or being on the verge of an event. This character can also imply looking over something, giving it a nuanced sense of proximity and immediacy.

Strokes9Radical丨Frequency#7971DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of approaching or facing something is significant in Chinese culture, often associated with the idea of being present and attentive, whether in social settings or during important events like festivals. The phrase 临近新年 (línjìn xīnnián - approaching the New Year) is commonly used during the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down (临) at the ground below. The character's left component resembles a person (亻) and the right side suggests a landscape or horizon (凌), helping you remember that 'to face' or 'to arrive' has both a physical and metaphorical sense.

Meanings of 临

lín(lin2)
1to face
2to overlook
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 临

临Simplified
臨Traditional
9Strokes
丨Radical
介词jiècípreposition (prep.)Part of Speech
#7971Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 临

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Podcast: 临

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AI Study Notes for 临

Quick Contrast

临 (lín) vs 近 (jìn) — use 临 when emphasizing the act of facing or approaching something, while 近 focuses more on the general state of being near.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down (临) at the ground below. The character's left component resembles a person (亻) and the right side suggests a landscape or horizon (凌), helping you remember that 'to face' or 'to arrive' has both a physical and metaphorical sense.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 临 with similar-sounding characters such as 领 (lǐng), which means to lead or receive. This character is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but in literature or poetry, it may carry a more elevated tone. Common collocations include 临近 (línjìn - to be near) and 临时 (línshí - temporary).

HSK Study Tips

临 is not included in the HSK vocabulary but relates closely to words that describe time and space, such as 到 (dào - to arrive) and 近 (jìn - near). Focus on the pronunciation and usage in phrases to strengthen your understanding, especially in conversational contexts.

Cultural Note

The concept of approaching or facing something is significant in Chinese culture, often associated with the idea of being present and attentive, whether in social settings or during important events like festivals. The phrase 临近新年 (línjìn xīnnián - approaching the New Year) is commonly used during the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 临 with 领 (lǐng), leading to incorrect usage in phrases. For example, saying '我临这个工作' instead of '我领这个工作' is incorrect; the correct sentence should use 领 (lǐng - to receive or take).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 临

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Etymology of 临

Explanation

Simplified form of 臨. Phonosemantic compound. 監 represents the meaning and 品 represents the sound.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 临?

Decomposition of 临

IDS Structure⿰⿰？丨？
临Full Character
=
丨gun3
left
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 临?

Write 临

临

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

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Grammar Patterns of 临

临 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 6 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

目前，30%的爬行动物、鸟类和鱼类面____灭绝的危险。

30 percent of reptiles, birds, and fish are currently threatened with extinction.

Common Confusions with 临

临vs邻
lín

Same pronunciation but different meaning.

临vs霖
lín

Same pronunciation; different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to face"?

or

Example Sentences for 临 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
目前，30%的爬行动物、鸟类和鱼类面临灭绝的危险。

mù qián，30% ，30% de pá háng dòng、 wù 、 niǎo lèi hé yú lèi miàn lín miè jué de。

30 percent of reptiles, birds, and fish are currently threatened with extinction.
2
跟我说说你的临床试验。进展如何？

gēn wǒ shuō shuō nǐ de lín chuáng shì yàn。 。 jìn zhǎn rú？

Tell me about your clinical trials. How did they go?
3
让你的医生给你推荐一位临床心理学家。

ràng nǐ de yī shēng gěi nǐ tuī jiàn yī wèi lín chuáng xīn lǐ xué jiā。

Ask your doctor for a referral to a clinical psychologist.
4
这是全欧洲面临的问题，而不是英国独有的问题。

zhè shì quán ōu zhōu miàn lín de wèn tí， ， ér bù shì yīng guó dú yǒu de wèn。

This is a European, and not a specifically British, problem.
5
这有助于他们从所面临的问题中跳出来，变得更客观一些。

zhè yǒu zhù yú tā mén cóng suǒ miàn lín de wèn tí zhōng tiào chū lái， ， biàn dé gēng kè guān yī。

It helps them detach themselves from their problems and become more objective.
6
我们就是在这一点上面临方法上的分歧。

wǒ mén jiù shì zài zhè yī diǎn shàng miàn lín fāng fǎ shàng de fēn qí。

It's here that we come up against the difference of approach.
7
这是该国面临的最紧迫的问题之一。

zhè shì gāi guó miàn lín de zuì jǐn pò de wèn tí zhī yī。

It is one of the most pressing problems facing this country.
8
随着选举日的临近，这一因素将愈发重要。

suí zháo xuǎn jǔ rì de lín jìn， ， zhè yī yīn sù jiāng yù fā zhòng。

This factor will come increasingly to the fore as election day nears.
9
当好运来临时，他充分把握住了。

dāng hǎo yùn lái lín shí， ， tā chōng fēn bǎ wò zhù。

When fortune smiled on him, he made the most of it.
10
在即将到来的选举中，我们将面临一场恶斗。

zài jí jiāng dào lái de xuǎn jǔ zhōng， ， wǒ mén jiāng miàn lín yī cháng è。

We'll face a tough fight in the upcoming election.

Cultural Notes for 临

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of approaching or facing something is significant in Chinese culture, often associated with the idea of being present and attentive, whether in social settings or during important events like festivals. The phrase 临近新年 (línjìn xīnnián - approaching the New Year) is commonly used during the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Word Family of 临

Words Containing This Character20
面临miànlínto face sth面臨
临床línchuángclinical臨床
临时línshítemporary臨時
光临guānglínto attend光臨
来临láilínto approach來臨
降临jiànglínto descend降臨
临línto face臨
临近línjìnclose to臨近
临死facing death臨死
临终approaching one's end臨終
濒临bīnlínon the edge of瀕臨
临时工day laborer臨時工
亲临to go in person親臨
临界critical臨界
莅临to arrive (esp. of notable person)蒞臨
临头to befall臨頭
居高临下jūgāolínxiàto overlook居高臨下
临别on parting臨別
临界点critical point臨界點
临沂Linyi prefecture-level city in Shandong臨沂
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 面临 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 临

临 is classified as an HSK level 7 character, which means it is generally taught at an advanced stage of Chinese language learning. At this level, learners are expected to understand more complex vocabulary and grammar structures.