临 lín — draw near · English

临

lín

draw near

At a glance · 临

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「临」甲骨文从人从品从皿，象俯视众物，金文小篆相承。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「临」本义为从高视下、俯视，引申面临、来临。

Structure

从𠂉从品从皿，会意字，象人俯临众物之形。

At a glance

Pinyinlín

Radical丨

Strokes9

UnicodeU+4E34

Character type会意

Theme动作

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English draw near draw near, approach; descend

Français faire face à Faire face, surplomber. «临深履薄» : comme au bord d'un abîme.

Español enfrentar Enfrentar, dominar desde arriba. «临深履薄»: como al borde del abismo.

العربية يواجه يواجه، يشرف من علٍ. «临深履薄»: كأن على حافة الهوة.

Русский лицом к Лицом к, возвышаться. «临深履薄»: как на краю бездны.

Common words

面临miàn línface
来临lái línarrive

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