临 (lín)

to face; to overlook; to arrive; to be (just) about to; just before

Etymology

Simplified form of 臨. Depicts a person (人) looking (臣) down at a pile of objects (品). 品 also represents the sound. Based on the original meaning, "to look down". The meaning has shifted over time and now means "draw near".

Original meaning

to look down

Components