濒临 bīnlín on the edge of
on the edge of; (figuratively) on the verge of; close to
How to remember 濒临: 濒 to approach + 临 to approach = on the edge of.
Characters
How it is used
- To be on the verge of (usually something bad) - 濒临破产 (bīnlín pòchǎn) on the brink of bankruptcy; 濒临灭绝 on the verge of extinction.
- Formal; almost always precedes a negative outcome (崩溃, 死亡, 倒闭).
- Can also be literal 'bordering on': 濒临大海 adjoining the sea. Reading: bīnlín, not pín.
Example sentences
- 这是一个濒临灭绝的物种。 Zhèshì yígè bīnlínmièjué de wùzhǒng.It is an endangered species.
- 这是一个濒临消失的物种。 Zhèshì yígè bīnlín xiāoshī de wùzhǒng.It is an endangered species.