临 + 动词（+ 前）
just before; on the point of (doing)
Structure
临 动词 （前／时／的时候），…
What it means
Just before; on the point of doing. 临 means “on the verge of” and stresses that the moment is very close.
How it is built
临 + short verb (+ 前／时／的时候): 临出门前，妈妈又嘱咐我多穿件衣服 (just as I was going out, Mum told me again to put on an extra layer). Also 临走, 临别, 临睡, 临下车, 临毕业.
When to use it
Mostly with leaving, arriving, sleeping or ending. More compact and a little more written than 在…以前 or 快要…的时候. Fixed words: 临走 (on leaving), 临别 (at parting), 临终 (on one’s deathbed).
Watch out
Keep the verb short and put the subject first: ✗临我们出发前 ✓我们临出发前.
Examples
临下户前，她把注意事项写了满满一页。
Just before she leaves the job she fills a whole page with notes.
临出门前，妈妈又嘱咐我多穿件衣服。
Just as I was going out, Mum told me again to put on an extra layer.
他临走的时候，把钥匙留给了邻居。
When he was about to leave, he left the key with a neighbour.
Learn this in Lesson 134 · HSK 7–9: 家政阿姨与月嫂 (Housekeepers and maternity nurses)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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