面临

• Pinyin: miàn lín
• Hanzi breakdown: 面 = pictograph of a face; 临 = 臣 (minister) + 品 (items) — to approach, to overlook

Meaning

To face; to be confronted with. To be in a situation where one must deal with a challenge, problem, or important decision.

A formal verb used when describing serious challenges, decisions, or situations that one must deal with. The object is typically abstract: 困难 (difficulty), 挑战 (challenge), 危险 (danger), 选择 (choice). More formal and weighty than simply 遇到 (to encounter). Common in news, academic, and business writing.

Examples

1. 毕业以后，他面临着找工作的压力。 After graduation, he is facing the pressure of finding a job.
2. 这家公司正面临着严重的经济困难。 This company is currently facing serious financial difficulties.
3. 她面临一个很重要的选择。 She is facing a very important choice.

Usage Guide

Context: challenges, decisions, news

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 我们面临的最大问题是资金不足。(The biggest problem we face is insufficient funding.)
• 全球正在面临气候变化的挑战。(The world is facing the challenge of climate change.)

Don't Say

• 我面临吃什么的问题 — 面临 is for serious challenges; for trivial daily decisions, just say 不知道吃什么

Origin & History

面 means 'face' and 临 means 'to approach' or 'to overlook.' Together they describe facing something that is approaching — confronting an imminent situation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal