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远 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
远yuǎnfarHSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuǎndistantHSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuǎnremoteHSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuǎnto distance oneself from (classical)HSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuǎndistant, remote, far; profoundHSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuǎn(intensifier in a comparison) by farHSK 2, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuǎnmuch (lower etc)HSK 2, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuànfarHSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuàndistantHSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuànremoteHSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuànto distance oneself from (classical)HSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuàndistant, remote, far; profoundHSK 2, a, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuàn(intensifier in a comparison) by farHSK 2, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
远yuànmuch (lower etc)HSK 2, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 辶, rank #508, Easy
yuǎn(yuan3)
primary
 T3
  1. 1far
  2. 2distant
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

远(遠)yuǎn(yuan3)

The character 远 (yuǎn) means 'far' or 'distant.' It is commonly used to describe physical distance, as well as metaphorical distance, such as emotional or social separation. You might encounter it in phrases relating to travel or describing relationships.

Strokes7Radical辶Frequency#508DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of distance is not only physical but can also relate to emotional connections, such as having 'distant' relationships with family or friends. The notion of distance often plays a role in discussions about social harmony and connectedness.

Memory Tip

Think of 远 (yuǎn) as a person standing far away on a distant hill, looking at the horizon. The character has a 'distant' component (远) that resembles a person gazing into the distance. The pronunciation 'yuǎn' can be remembered by imagining a 'yawn' you make when you're far from something interesting.

Meanings of 远

yuǎn(yuan3)
primary
1far
2distant
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 远

远Simplified
遠Traditional
7Strokes
辶Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#508Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 远

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Podcast: 远

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AI Study Notes for 远

Quick Contrast

近 (jìn, near) — use 远 to emphasize distance, while 近 indicates proximity.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 远 (yuǎn) with 近 (jìn), which means 'near.' It is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but in formal writing, it may be paired with other adjectives to describe distances more precisely. Common phrases include 远方 (yuǎnfāng) meaning 'distant place' and 远离 (yuǎnlí) meaning 'to be far away from.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 2 word, 远 (yuǎn) connects to other basic vocabulary related to distance and direction, such as 近 (jìn) and 走 (zǒu). Students should practice using it in sentences to describe locations and distances.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 远 (yuǎn) with similar-sounding words. For example, saying '我住在远的地方' (wǒ zhù zài yuǎn de dìfāng) is correct, but using it in the wrong context like '我远去商店' (wǒ yuǎn qù shāngdiàn) instead of '我去远的商店' (wǒ qù yuǎn de shāngdiàn) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 远

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Etymology of 远

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 元 represents the sound. Simplified form of 遠.

Memory Hint

walk

Semantic (meaning)辶
+
Phonetic (sound)元
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 远

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 元 represents the sound. Simplified form of 遠.

  1. 1The meaning half辶 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half元 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywalk
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 远? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 远?

Decomposition of 远

IDS Structure⿺辶元
远Full Character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
元Yuan2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 远?

How to say far in Chinese

“far” in Chinese is远yuǎn

The character 远 (yuǎn) means 'far' or 'distant.' It is commonly used to describe physical distance, as well as metaphorical distance, such as emotional or social separation. You might encounter it in phrases relating to travel or describing relationships.

When to use 远

Be careful not to confuse 远 (yuǎn) with 近 (jìn), which means 'near.' It is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but in formal writing, it may be paired with other adjectives to describe distances more precisely. Common phrases include 远方 (yuǎnfāng) meaning 'distant place' and 远离 (yuǎnlí) meaning 'to be far away from.'

远 or something close to it

近 (jìn, near) — use 远 to emphasize distance, while 近 indicates proximity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 远 (yuǎn) with similar-sounding words. For example, saying '我住在远的地方' (wǒ zhù zài yuǎn de dìfāng) is correct, but using it in the wrong context like '我远去商店' (wǒ yuǎn qù shāngdiàn) instead of '我去远的商店' (wǒ qù yuǎn de shāngdiàn) is incorrect.

Write 远

远

Practice writing 远 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 远

远 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

这儿离车站有点儿____。

This place is a bit far from the station.

Example Sentences for 远 (15)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我本人喜欢电影、诗歌、外出吃饭和远途散步。

wǒ běn rén xǐ huān diàn yǐng、 、 shī、 gē 、 wài chū chī fàn hé yuǎn tú。

I myself enjoy cinema, poetry, eating out and long walks.
2
会上发言者的一句话让我思绪飘远。

huì shàng fā yán zhě de yī jù huà ràng wǒ sī xù piāo yuǎn。

A phrase from the conference floor set my mind wandering.
3
你以为你可以欺负我吗？你不能，永远不能！

nǐ yǐ wéi nǐ kě yǐ qī fù wǒ ma？ ？ nǐ bù， néng ， yǒng yuǎn！

Do you think you can walk over me? Well, you won't, ever!
4
渡船是苏格兰边远地区的生命线。

dù chuán shì sū gé lán biān yuǎn dì qū de shēng mìng xiàn。

Ferries are a lifeline to the far-flung corners of Scotland.
5
我把1亿美元藏到了一个永远没人会找到的地方。

wǒ bǎ1 1 yì měi yuán cáng dào le yī gè yǒng yuǎn méi rén huì zhǎo dào de dì。

I have $100m hidden away where no one will ever find it.
6
对于两个七十几岁的人来说，这段路太远了。

duì yú liǎng gè qī shí jī suì de rén lái shuō， ， zhè duàn lù tài yuǎn。

It's a long way to go for two people in their seventies.
7
现在我们住得离市中心更远了。

xiàn zài wǒ mén zhù dé lí shì zhōng xīn gēng yuǎn le。

Now we live further away from the city centre.
8
我永远忘不了你为这些小孩子所做的一切。

wǒ yǒng yuǎn wàng bù le nǐ wéi zhè xiē xiǎo hái zǐ suǒ zuò de yī qiē。

I'm not ever going to forget what you've done for the nippers.
9
这场危机看来远未结束。

zhè cháng wēi jī kàn lái yuǎn wèi jié shù。

An end to the crisis seems a long way off.
10
长远来说，这是最好的。

cháng yuǎn lái shuō， ， zhè shì zuì hǎo。

In the long run, it was for the best.
11
我家离学校很远。

Wǒ jiā lí xuéxiào hěn yuǎn.

My home is far from the school.
12
那个商店离这里有点远。

Nàge shāngdiàn lí zhèlǐ yǒudiǎn yuǎn.

That store is a bit far from here.
13
他住在一个很远的小村庄。

Tā zhù zài yīgè hěn yuǎn de xiǎo cūnzhuāng.

He lives in a very far village.
14
从这里到机场不远。

Cóng zhèlǐ dào jīchǎng bù yuǎn.

It's not far from here to the airport.
15
他的家离公司很远，所以每天需要早起。

Tā de jiā lí gōngsī hěn yuǎn, suǒyǐ měitiān xūyào zǎoqǐ.

His house is far from the company, so he needs to get up early every day.

Word Family of 远

Words Containing This Character20
永远yǒngyuǎnforever永遠
远yuǎnfar遠
远远yuǎnyuǎndistant遠遠
远离yuǎnlíto be far from遠離
遥远yáoyuǎndistant遙遠
长远chángyuǎnlong-term長遠
远处yuǎnchùdistant place遠處
远程yuǎnchéngremote遠程
远方yuǎnfāngfar away遠方
老远lǎoyuǎnvery far away老遠
望远镜wàngyuǎnjìngbinoculars望遠鏡
深远shēnyuǎnfar-reaching深遠
疏远shūyuǎnto drift apart疏遠
远东Far East (loanword)遠東
远期long-term遠期
远大broad遠大
偏远piānyuǎnremote偏遠
远征march to remote regions遠征
远见yuǎnjiànvision遠見
远古antiquity遠古
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 永远 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 远

You can say '这个地方很远' (zhège dìfāng hěn yuǎn) meaning 'This place is very far.'

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