Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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.
Frequency#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
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 遥远
遥远Simplified
遙遠Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#5884Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 遥远
Podcast: 遥远
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 遥远 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 遥远 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
wǎn shàng tā mèng dào le tā xiǎng qù de nà xiē yáo yuǎn dì fāng.
At night he dreams of faraway places where he'd like to go.
5
把昏睡的大地唤醒吧! 要是冬天已经来了, 西风呵, 春日怎能遥远?
bǎ hūn shuì de dà dì huàn xǐng bā! ! yào shì dōng tiān yǐ jīng lái, le , xī, fēng hē , chūn rì zěn?
" The trumpet of a prophecy! 0 Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? "
6
海燕从遥远的地方振翼飞来.
hǎi yàn cóng yáo yuǎn de dì fāng zhèn yì fēi lái.
The petrel came winnowing in from afar on the sea.
Cultural Notes for 遥远
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about 遥远
Yes, you can use it metaphorically to describe someone who feels emotionally distant.
No, it can also refer to emotional or temporal distances, such as feelings of longing.
Practice by associating 'yao' with 'yowl' and 'yuan' with 'yarn,' focusing on the rising and falling tones.
