Definition
临 (lín) has two main uses: as a verb meaning 'to face' or 'to arrive/approach' (of events, formal), and as a preposition meaning 'just before' (临出发前). For the 'arrive' sense, it is more concise than 来临 (lái lín) and less formal than 降临 (jiàng lín). For the 'just before' sense, it differs from the adverb 快要 (kuài yào) in syntax: 临 is a preposition before a time phrase, while 快要 is an adverb before a verb.
to faceto overlook (a location or situation)to arriveto come (of an event or time)just beforeon the point of (as a preposition preceding an action)
Easily confused
- 之zhīlook-alike(literary, possessive particle) equivalent to 的
- 淋línsound-aliketo drench, to pour (a liquid) over
- 拎līnsound-aliketo carry in one's hand; to lift up (by a handle or strap)
Examples
- 临，。Wǒmen xuéxiào lín shān, fēngjǐng yōuměi.Our school faces the mountain, with beautiful scenery.
- ，。Chūntiān lín jìn le, tiānqì kāishǐ biàn nuǎn.Spring is approaching, and the weather is getting warmer.
- 临，。lín chūfā qián, tā yòu jiǎnchá le yí biàn xíngli.Just before departing, he checked his luggage once more.
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