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March 24, 2026
遥远(遙遠)yáoyuǎn(yao2yuan3)
遥远 refers to something that is far away in terms of distance or time. It is often used to describe places, feelings, or concepts that feel remote or unreachable, and can convey a sense of nostalgia or longing for something distant.
Strokes20Frequency#5884DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry, the concept of distance often evokes feelings of nostalgia, particularly when referring to family or hometowns that are far away, reflecting the importance of familial ties in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long, winding road (遥) leading to a far-off land (远). The road seems endless, representing distance. The pronunciation 'yao' sounds like 'yowl,' a sound you'd make when longing for something far away.
Meanings of 遥远
yáoyuǎn(yao2yuan3)
1distant
2remote
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About 遥远
遥远Simplified
遙遠Traditional
20Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5884Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 遥远
Podcast: 遥远
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AI Study Notes for 遥远
Quick Contrast
遥远 (yáoyuǎn) vs 远 (yuǎn) — use 遥远 to emphasize a greater emotional or nostalgic distance compared to the more neutral 远.
Usage Notes
Avoid using 遥远 in overly casual contexts, as it conveys a sense of seriousness or depth. Common collocations include 遥远的地方 (distant places) or 遥远的未来 (distant future). Pay attention to the tones; saying 'yao' with the wrong tone can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 word, 遥远 can be connected to other advanced vocabulary related to distance and time, such as 近 (near) or 难忘 (unforgettable). Focus on using it in more complex sentences to describe situations or emotions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 遥远 with 远 alone, which simply means 'far.' For example, saying '这很遥远的地方' (This is a very distant place) is incorrect; it should be '这是个遥远的地方.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 遥远
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遥远 refers to something that is far away in terms of distance or time. It is often used to describe places, feelings, or concepts that feel remote or unreachable, and can convey a sense of nostalgia or longing for something distant.
When to use 遥远
Avoid using 遥远 in overly casual contexts, as it conveys a sense of seriousness or depth. Common collocations include 遥远的地方 (distant places) or 遥远的未来 (distant future). Pay attention to the tones; saying 'yao' with the wrong tone can change the meaning.
遥远 or something close to it
遥远 (yáoyuǎn) vs 远 (yuǎn) — use 遥远 to emphasize a greater emotional or nostalgic distance compared to the more neutral 远.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 遥远 with 远 alone, which simply means 'far.' For example, saying '这很遥远的地方' (This is a very distant place) is incorrect; it should be '这是个遥远的地方.'
Write 遥远
遥
远
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Grammar Patterns of 遥远
遥远 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 2 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.
