离

• 拼音: lí
• 汉字拆解: 离 = simplified from 離; the traditional form contains 隹 (short-tailed bird), suggesting separation or departure

含义

Away from; to be distant from. Used to express physical or temporal distance between two points.

A key preposition for expressing distance in Chinese. The basic pattern is A 离 B + distance/description. Works for both spatial distance and time remaining before an event. One of the first prepositions Chinese learners master.

例句

1. 我家离学校很近。
2. 离考试还有三天。
3. 这里离火车站不远。

用法指南

语境: directions, distance, time

语气: informational

正确说法

• 我家离公司很近，走路十分钟。(My home is close to the office — ten minutes on foot.)
• 离上课还有五分钟。(There are five minutes until class starts.)

错误说法

• 我离了他很远。(Don't add 了 after 离 when expressing distance — say 我离他很远, not 我离了他很远.)

起源与历史

Simplified from 離. The traditional character depicted a bird (鸟) separating from something, conveying the idea of 'departing' or 'being apart.'

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal