Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
面临 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
面临miànlínto face sthHSK 5, v, rank #3223, Medium
面临miànlínto be confronted withHSK 5, v, rank #3223, Medium
miànlín(mian4lin2) T4
  1. 1to face sth
  2. 2to be confronted with
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
面临(面臨)miànlín(mian4lin2)

面临 (miànlín) means 'to face' or 'to be confronted with' something, often referring to challenges or situations that require attention. It is commonly used in contexts such as discussing problems, opportunities, or decisions that one must confront or deal with.

Frequency#3223DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 面临 is often associated with perseverance and resilience, reflecting the value placed on facing difficulties head-on, particularly in business and education contexts.

Memory Tip

Imagine standing in front of a large wall (面) that represents your problems, and you must confront (临) it head-on. The wall is looming and you have to figure out how to break through it, reminding you of the meaning of 面临.

Meanings of 面临

miànlín(mian4lin2)
1to face sth
2to be confronted with
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 面临

面临Simplified
面臨Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3223Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 面临

JasonAmy

Podcast: 面临

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 面临

Quick Contrast

面对 (miànduì) - use 面临 when emphasizing the situation or challenge itself, while 面对 focuses more on the act of confronting or dealing with it.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine standing in front of a large wall (面) that represents your problems, and you must confront (临) it head-on. The wall is looming and you have to figure out how to break through it, reminding you of the meaning of 面临.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 面临 with 面对 (miànduì), which also means 'to face,' but 面临 is typically used in more abstract contexts. This word is neutral in tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal situations. Common collocations include 面临挑战 (facing challenges) and 面临问题 (facing problems).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 面临 connects well with other verbs that convey action or confrontation, such as 处理 (chǔlǐ, to handle) or 应对 (yìngduì, to respond). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe real-life challenges or decisions.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 面临 is often associated with perseverance and resilience, reflecting the value placed on facing difficulties head-on, particularly in business and education contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 面临 in contexts where they should use a word like 处理. For example, saying '我们面临这个问题' (We face this problem) is correct, but saying '我们面临解决这个问题' (We face solving this problem) is incorrect; it should be '我们处理这个问题' (We handle this problem).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 面临

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 面临 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

面miànface
HSK 29 strokes面
View full entry
临línto face
HSK 79 strokes丨
View full entry

Write 面临

面
临

Practice writing 面临 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 面临

面临 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

尽管公司____很大的竞争压力，但是团队齐心协力，不仅克服了困难，而且还超额完成了任务。

Despite the company facing great competitive pressure, the team worked together, not only overcoming the difficulties but even exceeding their targets.

Example Sentences for 面临 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
目前，30%的爬行动物、鸟类和鱼类面临灭绝的危险。

mù qián，30% ，30% de pá háng dòng、 wù 、 niǎo lèi hé yú lèi miàn lín miè jué de。

30 percent of reptiles, birds, and fish are currently threatened with extinction.
2
这是全欧洲面临的问题，而不是英国独有的问题。

zhè shì quán ōu zhōu miàn lín de wèn tí， ， ér bù shì yīng guó dú yǒu de wèn。

This is a European, and not a specifically British, problem.
3
这有助于他们从所面临的问题中跳出来，变得更客观一些。

zhè yǒu zhù yú tā mén cóng suǒ miàn lín de wèn tí zhōng tiào chū lái， ， biàn dé gēng kè guān yī。

It helps them detach themselves from their problems and become more objective.
4
我们就是在这一点上面临方法上的分歧。

wǒ mén jiù shì zài zhè yī diǎn shàng miàn lín fāng fǎ shàng de fēn qí。

It's here that we come up against the difference of approach.
5
这是该国面临的最紧迫的问题之一。

zhè shì gāi guó miàn lín de zuì jǐn pò de wèn tí zhī yī。

It is one of the most pressing problems facing this country.
6
在即将到来的选举中，我们将面临一场恶斗。

zài jí jiāng dào lái de xuǎn jǔ zhōng， ， wǒ mén jiāng miàn lín yī cháng è。

We'll face a tough fight in the upcoming election.
7
他因有外遇而要面临纪律听证会的裁决。

tā yīn yǒu wài yù ér yào miàn lín jì lǜ tīng zhèng huì de cái jué。

He will now face a disciplinary hearing for having an affair.
8
报纸上有很多关于继子女所面临的问题的报道。

bào zhǐ shàng yǒu hěn duō guān yú jì zǐ nǚ suǒ miàn lín de wèn tí de bào dào。

There's been a lot in the papers about the problems facing stepchildren.
9
如果被判有罪，他就要面临巨额罚款。

rú guǒ bèi pàn yǒu zuì， ， tā jiù yào miàn lín jù é fá。

If he is found guilty he faces a hefty fine.
10
圣巴塞洛缪医院是伦敦4个面临关闭的医院之一。

shèng bā sāi luò móu yī yuàn shì lún dūn4 4 gè miàn lín guān bì de yī yuàn zhī。

St Bartholomew's is one of four London hospitals facing the axe.

Cultural Notes for 面临

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 面临 is often associated with perseverance and resilience, reflecting the value placed on facing difficulties head-on, particularly in business and education contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions about 面临

Yes, 面临 can be used to describe personal challenges as well as professional ones.