迫近 (pò jìn) — to approach, to draw near, to close in on

Definition

A formal/literary verb meaning 'to draw near' or 'close in,' often for threats, deadlines, or danger. Stronger and more dramatic than 接近 (jìn jì), which simply means 'to approach.'

verb
to approachto draw nearto close in on

Examples

  • 迫近。
    Jūn duì zhèng zài pò jìn chéng shì.
    The army is approaching the city.
  • 迫近，。
    Suí zhe kǎo shì rì qī pò jìn, xué shēng men yuè lái yuè jǐn zhāng.
    As the exam date draws near, the students become more and more nervous.
  • 迫近，。
    Wēi xiǎn zài pò jìn, wǒ men bì xū lì kè xíng dòng.
    Danger is closing in, we must act immediately.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

迫pòcome near
近jìncome near

迫 and 近 both carry the sense of coming near, so together they mean to approach or close in.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
白
白bái迫pò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The form 迫 pairs the walking radical 辶 (written in full as 辵) with 白, which gives the sound.

Open 迫 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
斤
斤jīn近jìn
Same sound today

近 combines 辶, a walking radical, with 斤, which gives the sound. The walking part fits the idea of moving close to something.

Open 近 →

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