边远

• Pinyin: biān yuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 边 = 辶 (walk) + 力 + 方; 远 = 辶 (walk) + 元 (origin)

Meaning

Remote; outlying; far from the center.

Describes areas that are geographically distant from political, economic, or cultural centers. Often used to describe rural or underdeveloped regions. Implies both physical distance and relative isolation from resources.

Examples

1. 边远山区的孩子上学要走好几个小时的山路。 Children in remote mountain areas have to walk for hours on mountain paths to get to school.
2. 政府加大了对边远地区的教育投入，建了很多新学校。 The government has increased educational investment in remote areas and built many new schools.
3. 他放弃了大城市的高薪工作，主动申请去边远地区当医生。 He gave up his high-paying job in the big city and voluntarily applied to work as a doctor in a remote area.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, policy, development

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 边远地区的发展是重要议题。(Development of remote areas is an important issue.)
• 这是个边远的小村子。(This is a remote little village.)

Don't Say

• 用边远形容普通郊区 (Don't use 边远 for typical suburbs — it implies significant isolation)

Origin & History

边 (edge) + 远 (far). Far from the edge/center.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal