近在咫尺

jìnzài-zhǐchǐ

idiom #17,989

Meanings

1 very close; almost within reach
2 close at hand

Characters

ancient unit ~20cm

Chinese foot ~33cm

Literally 'as close as a zhǐ or a chǐ' - both are very short distances.

Examples

HSK 5

胜利近在咫尺，不要放弃！

Shènglì jìnzài-zhǐchǐ, búyào fàngqì!

Victory is within reach - don't give up!

HSK 7-9

他们近在咫尺，却形同陌路。

Tāmen jìnzài-zhǐchǐ, què xíngtóng-mòlù.

They were so close, yet like strangers.

Tips

history

咫 (zhǐ) is an ancient unit of length roughly 20cm. The idiom pairs two small measurements to emphasize extreme closeness. Often contrasted with 远在天涯 (far at the ends of the earth).

Stroke Order

近 jìn

在 zài

咫 zhǐ

尺 chǐ