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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "face" or "on the verge of" with 临 (lín)

    Condition
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Subject + 面临 + Noun

    Explanation

    临 (lín) is a preposition meaning "to face" or "to be on the verge of." It indicates confronting a situation or being at the threshold of an event, often something serious or significant. For example, a country might be 面临 (facing) its most severe crisis in years.

    Examples

    • 临出门的时候，她突然想起忘带钥匙了。

      lín chūmén de shíhòu, tā tūrán xiǎngqǐ wàng dài yàoshi le.

      Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered she had forgotten to bring her keys.

    • 我们正面临前所未有的挑战。

      wǒmen zhèng miànlín qiánsuǒwèiyǒu de tiǎozhàn.

      We are facing unprecedented challenges.

    • 临考试前一天，他紧张得睡不着觉。

      lín kǎoshì qián yī tiān, tā jǐnzhāng de shuì bù zháo jiào.

      The day before the exam, he was so nervous he couldn't sleep.

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    Expressing "face" or "on the verge of" with 临 (lín) | Chinese Grammar