接近

• Pinyin: jiē jìn
• Hanzi breakdown: 接 = 扌(hand) + 妾 (concubine, phonetic), meaning to receive or connect; 近 = 辶 (walk) + 斤 (axe, phonetic), meaning near

Meaning

To approach; to be close to; to draw near. To move closer or be similar to something in proximity, time, or quality.

Used for both physical proximity (approaching a location) and abstract closeness (nearing a goal, close to a number). Can also mean 'to get to know someone' in a social sense. Works as both a verb and an adjective meaning 'close to.'

Examples

1. 天气预报说气温接近零度。 The weather forecast says the temperature is close to zero degrees.
2. 他慢慢接近了那只小鸟。 He slowly approached the little bird.
3. 这个答案已经很接近正确答案了。 This answer is already very close to the correct one.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, description, academic, news

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 时间接近中午了，我们去吃饭吧。(It's getting close to noon — let's go eat.)
• 他的想法接近我的看法。(His idea is close to my view.)

Don't Say

• 请你接近这扇门。(Don't use 接近 when you mean 'close a door' — that is 关. 接近 means to approach or draw near, not to shut.)

Origin & History

Compound of 接 (to connect, to receive) and 近 (near, close), together meaning 'to draw near' or 'to be close to.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal