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March 24, 2026
遙yáo(yao2)
The character 遙 (yáo) means 'distant' or 'remote' and is commonly used to describe physical distance, such as 'a faraway place,' as well as metaphorical distance like ambitions or feelings. It often conveys a sense of longing or separation from something that is far away.
Strokes13Radical辶Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The concept of distance is significant in Chinese poetry and literature, often symbolizing longing and nostalgia. The phrase '遙不可及' (yáo bù kě jí) conveys how something is unattainable, reflecting a common theme in Chinese cultural expressions.
Memory Tip
Imagine standing on a mountain peak, looking out at a vast, distant landscape. The character 遙 has the radical 辶 (walking) suggesting movement towards something far away, combined with the phonetic component 夭 (yāo), which can remind you of the stretch of a long journey. Together, they create an image of a journey to a far-off place.
Meanings of 遙
yáo(yao2)
1distant, remote
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 遙
遙Simplified
13Strokes
辶Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 遙
Podcast: 遙
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AI Study Notes for 遙
Quick Contrast
遥 (yáo) vs 远 (yuǎn): use 遥 for a sense of longing or metaphorical distance, while 远 is more straightforwardly physical distance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine standing on a mountain peak, looking out at a vast, distant landscape. The character 遙 has the radical 辶 (walking) suggesting movement towards something far away, combined with the phonetic component 夭 (yāo), which can remind you of the stretch of a long journey. Together, they create an image of a journey to a far-off place.
Usage Notes
Avoid confusing 遙 with 远 (yuǎn), which also means 'far' but is more commonly used in everyday contexts. 遙 carries a more poetic or formal tone and often appears in literary settings. A common collocation is 遙遠 (yáoyuǎn), meaning 'distant or remote'.
HSK Study Tips
While 遙 is not an HSK level word, it can be linked to other words describing distance and space like 远 (yuǎn) and 近 (jìn). Focus on understanding its usage in literary contexts and distinguishing it from more commonly used terms.
Cultural Note
The concept of distance is significant in Chinese poetry and literature, often symbolizing longing and nostalgia. The phrase '遙不可及' (yáo bù kě jí) conveys how something is unattainable, reflecting a common theme in Chinese cultural expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 遙 with 远 (yuǎn). For instance, saying '這個地方很遙' (This place is very distant) is incorrect; the correct term would be '這個地方很遠'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 遙
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Grammar Patterns of 遙
遙 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
两名逃犯仍然逍____法外.
Two of the escaped prisoners are still at liberty.
Example Sentences for 遙 (1)
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1
两名逃犯仍然逍遙法外.
liǎng míng táo fàn réng rán xiāo yáo fǎ wài.
Two of the escaped prisoners are still at liberty.
Cultural Notes for 遙
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of distance is significant in Chinese poetry and literature, often symbolizing longing and nostalgia. The phrase '遙不可及' (yáo bù kě jí) conveys how something is unattainable, reflecting a common theme in Chinese cultural expressions.
Word Family of 遙
Words Containing This Character16
遥远yáoyuǎndistant遙遠
遥yáodistant遙
逍遥法外still at large逍遙法外
遥控yáokòngremote control遙控
遥控器remote control遙控器
逍遥free and unfettered逍遙
遥遥领先a long way in front遙遙領先
遥感remote sensing遙感
遥望to look into the distance遙望
遥遥distant遙遙
平遥Pingyao county in Jinzhong 晉中|晋中[Jìnzhōng], Shanxi平遙
遥遥无期far in the indefinite future (idiom); so far away it seems forever遙遙無期
逍遥自在at large逍遙自在
遥测telemetry遙測
平遥县Pingyao county in Jinzhong 晉中|晋中[Jìnzhōng], Shanxi平遙縣
逍遥自得doing as one pleases (idiom); foot-loose and fancy free逍遙自得
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 遥远 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 遙
You can use 遙 to describe both physical and emotional distances, for example, '他的心遙不可及' (His heart is distant and unattainable).
It is more common in literary or poetic contexts rather than everyday conversation. For daily use, you might prefer 远 (yuǎn).
While both mean 'far,' 遙 has a more poetic nuance and often refers to something that is not just far away in distance but also in time or emotion.
