老远

• Pinyin: lǎo yuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 老 = 耂 + 匕 (intensifier: very/long); 远 = 辶 + 袁 (far/distant)

Meaning

From very far away; at a great distance. A colloquial intensifier emphasising how far something is.

Informal intensifier for distance, often used with 从 (from) — 从老远 (from far away) — or in structures like 老远就看见了 (spotted from far away). Conveys that the distance is notably large and adds vivid emphasis to the narrative.

Examples

1. 她老远就看见了那座熟悉的山顶。 She spotted that familiar mountaintop from far away.
2. 他从老远赶来，只为见她最后一面。 He came all the way from far away just to see her one last time.
3. 我老远就听见了他在楼道里大声呼喊的声音。 From far away, I could already hear him shouting loudly in the hallway.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, narrative, spoken language

Tone: vivid

Do Say

• 他老远就认出了我的身影。(He recognised me from far away.)
• 我从老远赶来，没想到你不在家。(I came from so far away — I didn't expect you to be out.)

Don't Say

• 在正式书面报告中用老远 — 正式文体应用'远处'或'从很远的地方'代替

Origin & History

老 (intensifier: very) + 远 (far/distant)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal