yuǎn

远

HSK 1Character · Adjective · Verb · NounTraditional遠

far; distant; remote; distant in relationship

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

5 senses · 22 examples
1.

adjective

far in space or time; distant

Can describe physical distance, time period, or abstract concepts like vision.

Yuǎn远
chù处
de的
shān山
kàn看
qǐ起
lái来
hěn很
xiǎo小
 。

The mountains in the distance look very small.

Zhè这
tiáo条
lù路
hěn很
cháng长
 ,
zǒu走
qǐ起
lái来
hěn很
fèi费
lì力
 。

This road is very long and tiring to walk on.

Show 3 more examples
Yuǎn远
gǔ古
shí时
dài代
de的
rén人
lèi类
guò过
zhe着
shòu狩
liè猎
de的
shēng生
huó活
 。

Humans in ancient times lived by hunting.

Wǒ我
men们
yīng应
gāi该
zhǎn展
wàng望
cháng长
yuǎn远
de的
wèi未
lái来
 。

We should look forward to the long-term future.

Tā他
de的
yǎn眼
guāng光
hěn很
cháng长
yuǎn远
 ,
kǎo考
lǜ虑
dào到
le了
shí十
nián年
hòu后
de的
jì计
huà划
 。

He has a long-term vision and considered plans for ten years later.

2.

adjective

distant in relationship; not close

Used to describe family ties or interpersonal connections.

Tā他
shì是
wǒ我
de的
yuǎn远
fáng房
biǎo表
gē哥
 。

He is my distant cousin on the maternal side.

Wǒ我
men们
liǎng两
jiā家
de的
xuè血
yuán缘
guān关
xì系
bǐ比
jiào较
yuǎn远
 。

The blood relationship between our two families is relatively distant.

Show 3 more examples
Yuǎn远
qīn亲
bù不
rú如
jìn近
lín邻
 ,
guān关
jiàn键
shí时
kè刻
lín邻
jū居
gèng更
néng能
bāng帮
shàng上
máng忙
 。

A distant relative is not as helpful as a close neighbor; neighbors can assist more in critical moments.

Tā他
de的
yuǎn远
zǔ祖
shì是
gǔ古
dài代
de的
guān官
yuán员
 。

His distant ancestors were ancient officials.

Wǒ我
men们
hé和
lǎo老
jiā家
de的
yuǎn远
qīn亲
yǐ已
jīng经
hěn很
shǎo少
lián联
xì系
le了
 。

We have very little contact with our distant relatives back in our hometown.

3.

adjective

wide difference; large gap

Used to compare the gap between two things or outcomes.

Wǒ我
men们
de的
shuǐ水
píng平
chà差
de得
yuǎn远
 ,
hái还
xū需
yào要
jì继
xù续
nǔ努
lì力
 。

Our skill levels are vastly different; we still need to keep working hard.

Zhè这
kuǎn款
xīn新
shǒu手
jī机
yuǎn远
yuǎn远
chāo超
guò过
le了
jiù旧
kuǎn款
de的
xìng性
néng能
 。

This new smartphone far exceeds the performance of the old model.

Show 3 more examples
Tā他
de的
chéng成
jì绩
bǐ比
wǒ我
yuǎn远
yào要
yōu优
xiù秀
 。

His grades are far better than mine.

Zhège这
xiàng个
mù项
de目
yù的
suàn预
yuǎn算
yuǎn远
chāo远
chū超
le出
wǒ了
men我
de们
jì的
huà计
 划
 。

The budget for this project far exceeds our original plan.

Wǒ我
men们
hé和
jìng竞
zhēng争
duì对
shǒu手
de的
shí实
lì力
xiāng相
chà差
hěn很
yuǎn远
 。

There is a huge gap in strength between us and our competitors.

4.

verb

to keep away from; to avoid

formal

Often used in fixed phrases to describe deliberate distancing from someone or something.

Lǐng领
dǎo导
duì对
zhè这
zhǒng种
liú流
yán言
fēi蜚
yǔ语
zǒng总
shì是
jìng敬
ér而
yuǎn远
zhī之
 。

Leaders always keep a respectful distance from such rumors.

Tā他
duì对
wǎng网
luò络
yóu游
xì戏
jìng敬
ér而
yuǎn远
zhī之
 ,
dān担
xīn心
yǐng影
xiǎng响
xué学
xí习
 。

He keeps a respectful distance from online games, worrying they will affect his studies.

Show 3 more examples
Wǒ我
men们
yīng应
gāi该
duì对
yǒu有
hài害
de的
shí食
pǐn品
tiān添
jiā加
jì剂
jìng敬
ér而
yuǎn远
zhī之
 。

We should keep a respectful distance from harmful food additives.

Miàn面
duì对
mò陌
shēng生
rén人
 ,
yǒu有
xiē些
hái孩
zi子
huì会
jìng敬
ér而
yuǎn远
zhī之
 。

Some children keep a respectful distance from strangers.

Tā她
duì对
bā八
guà卦
xīn新
wén闻
yì一
zhí直
jìng敬
ér而
yuǎn远
zhī之
 。

She has always kept a respectful distance from gossip news.

5.

noun

surname Yuan

A common Chinese family name.

Yuǎn远
xiān先
sheng生
shì是
wǒ我
men们
gōng公
sī司
de的
xīn新
tóng同
shì事
 。

Mr. Yuan is a new colleague at our company.

Yuǎn远
xìng姓
de的
qǐ起
yuán源
kě可
yǐ以
zhuī追
sù溯
dào到
gǔ古
dài代
de的
zhū诸
hóu侯
guó国
 。

The origin of the Yuan surname can be traced back to ancient feudal states.