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濒临 (bīn lín) — to be on the verge of; to be close to (usually something negative or critical)

Definition

Formal written verb meaning 'on the verge of (something bad)' — usually crisis, collapse, or danger. Unlike the adverb 即将 ('about to'), 濒临 emphasizes that a negative outcome is already dangerously close.

verb
to be on the verge ofto be close to (usually something negative or critical)

Examples

  • 濒临，。
    Zhè ge dì qū bīn lín jīng jì bēng kuì, zhèng fǔ zhèng zài cǎi qǔ cuò shī.
    This region is on the verge of economic collapse, and the government is taking measures.
  • 濒临，。
    Tā de shēn tǐ bīn lín jí xiàn, bì xū lì jí xiū xi.
    His body is close to its limit; he must rest immediately.
  • 濒临，。
    Liǎng guó guān xì bīn lín wēi jī, jú shì shí fēn jǐn zhāng.
    The bilateral relationship is on the verge of crisis, and the situation is very tense.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

濒bīnapproach/border
临línapproach/to

濒 and 临 both mean to approach, so the word describes being right at the edge of a situation.

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 瀕; 濒 is its simplified writing.

For 濒, the traditional form 瀕 pictures a person with their feet at the edge of water.

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Abstract Concepts

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