远

• Pinyin: yuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 远 = 辶 (walk radical) + 元 (phonetic, simplified from 袁) — a long walk, far away

Meaning

Far; distant. Describes a long distance between two places or points.

A core adjective for spatial distance, commonly used with 很, 太, or 不 to express degree. Also used figuratively to describe abstract distance, as in 远大 (far-reaching). The opposite is 近 (near).

Examples

1. 学校离我家很远。 The school is very far from my home.
2. 那个地方太远了。 That place is too far.
3. 你家远不远？ Is your home far?

Usage Guide

Context: directions, everyday, travel

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 医院离这里不远。(The hospital is not far from here.)
• 火车站很远吗？(Is the train station far?)

Don't Say

• 我家是远。(Awkward — use 很远 for the predicate: 我家很远 or 我家离这里很远)

Origin & History

Simplified from the traditional form 遠. Composed of 辶 (walk) + 袁 (phonetic). The original meaning was a long walk — hence, far.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal