远离

• Pinyin: yuǎn lí
• Hanzi breakdown: 远 = 辶 + 元, meaning far; 离 = 离, originally showing a bird leaving, meaning to leave

Meaning

To stay away from; to keep distance from; to be far from. To maintain physical or metaphorical distance from something.

Used both literally and figuratively. Common phrases: 远离毒品 (stay away from drugs), 远离危险 (stay away from danger), 远离人群 (stay away from crowds), 远离城市喧嚣 (get away from the hustle of the city).

Examples

1. 为了健康，我们应该远离烟酒和不良生活习惯。 For our health, we should stay away from smoking, drinking, and unhealthy habits.
2. 他选择远离城市的喧嚣，搬到乡下生活。 He chose to escape the hustle of the city and moved to the countryside.
3. 请远离高压电线，以免发生危险。 Please keep away from high-voltage power lines to avoid danger.

Usage Guide

Context: advice, safety, lifestyle

Tone: cautionary

Do Say

• 远离毒品，珍爱生命。(Stay away from drugs; cherish life.)
• 我想远离这种是非。(I want to stay away from this drama.)

Don't Say

• 我远离了学校 — 单纯描述位置用'离...很远'，远离强调主动回避

Origin & History

Compound of 远 (far) + 离 (to leave, distance). Together meaning to distance oneself from something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal