靠近 (kào jìn) — to approach; to draw near; to be close to | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

靠近 is the everyday verb for moving or being close to something in space. Neutral in tone — use 接近 for more formal contexts and 濒临/逼近 when the closeness is threatening or critical.

verb

to approachto draw nearto be close to

Examples

靠近。
Fēi jī zhèng zài kào jìn jī chǎng.
The plane is approaching the airport.
，靠近。
Bǐ sài kuài jié shù le, bǐ fēn yuè lái yuè kào jìn.
The game is almost over, and the score is getting closer and closer.
靠近，。
Bié kào jìn huǒ, hěn wēi xiǎn.
Don't get close to the fire, it's dangerous.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

靠kàoapproach

“靠” (approach) and “近” (near) combine to mean drawing close to something.

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.

告非靠

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

告

告gào靠kào

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

靠 is made of 告 and 非: 告 gives the sound, and 非 gives the meaning.

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

辶斤近

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.

Appears in

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