邻居 (鄰居 in traditional form – línjū) means “neighbor” in Chinese, and its structure reflects the close proximity and connection between people living nearby.

Here’s a breakdown of its components:

• 邻 (鄰 in traditional form – lín): This character means “neighboring” or “adjacent.” It originally depicted two houses side-by-side, symbolizing close proximity or a shared boundary.

• 居 (jū): This character means “to reside,” “to dwell,” or “to occupy a place.” It originally depicted a person sitting or resting, symbolizing the act of inhabiting a space.

Combining these elements, 邻居 literally means “neighboring dweller” or “person who resides nearby.” This accurately captures the essence of a neighbor, someone who lives close by and shares a community or living space.

The term 邻居 is used in various contexts related to community and relationships:

• 好邻居 (hǎo línjū): Good neighbor
• 邻里关系 (línlǐ guānxi): Neighborly relations
• 远亲不如近邻 (yuǎn qīn bùrú jìn lín): A distant relative is not as helpful as a near neighbor (a proverb highlighting the importance of neighbors)

By understanding the original meaning of 邻居, we can appreciate its connection to proximity and shared living spaces. It reflects the importance of community and neighborly relationships in Chinese culture, where neighbors often provide support and assistance to one another.