臨 (lín)

to draw near, to approach; to descend

Etymology

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".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“臨,監臨也。从臥,品聲。”

Original meaning

to look down

Components