临了 (lín le) — (colloquial) finally, in the end, at the last moment

Definition

A colloquial expression meaning 'in the end' or 'at the last moment' — emphasizes how things turn out after a process, often with a tone of surprise or resignation.

verb
(colloquial) finallyin the endat the last moment

Examples

  • 临了，。
    lín le, Tā hái shì jué dìng bú qù le.
    In the end, he still decided not to go.
  • ，临了。
    Máng le yì zhěng tiān, lín le què wàng le dài yào shi.
    After being busy all day, at the last moment I forgot to bring my keys.
  • ，临了。
    Tā zhǔn bèi le hěn duō, lín le fā xiàn gēn běn yòng bú shàng.
    He prepared a lot, but in the end found it was completely unnecessary.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

临línapproach
了liǎoend

The sense of 临 approaching and 了 as the end gives the idea of reaching the last moment.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 臨; 临 is its simplified writing.

For the traditional form 臨, 人 is a person, 臣 is an eye, and 品 is objects, showing a person looking down at objects.

Open 临 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

了 was once drawn to show a baby with no arms; some old comments say it showed crossed or tangled legs.

Open 了 →

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