miànlín

Miànlín (面临) is a Mandarin Chinese verb meaning to face or be confronted with a situation. It denotes encountering upcoming challenges, risks, or decisions and is typically followed by a noun phrase introduced by 面临 + [something]. Common collocations include 面临挑战, 面临危机, 面临选择, and 面临压力. The term is widely used in formal or written Chinese, including news reports, government documents, and corporate reporting. It can be used with subjects such as governments, companies, or individuals.

Usage notes: 面临 is generally transitive and takes a direct object representing the situation one must face. It often conveys a sense of imminence or inevitability, in contrast to 面对, which can be more direct or interpersonal. It can appear in various tenses: 面临 (present), 正在面临 (present continuous), 将面临 (future), 已面临 (past).

Etymology: The compound combines 面 (face) and 临 (to face or approach), reflecting the notion of confronting something ahead.

Examples:

- 公司未来一年将面临新的监管要求。The company will face new regulatory requirements in the coming year.

- 政府正面临财政压力和结构性挑战。The government is facing fiscal pressure and structural challenges.

- 个人可能面临职业转型的决定。Individuals may face decisions about career transitions.

See also: 面对, 遭遇, 挑战, 危机.