Preposition: 离 (Distance From)
介词：离
Use 离 to express distance between two places or the gap between now and a point in time
Place 离 between two reference points (places or times) to express how far apart they are. The distance or time gap follows.
离 always needs two reference points. It cannot stand alone. Think of it as the space between two dots on a map or two points on a timeline.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Preposition: 离 (Distance From) (介词：离)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 介词：离 pattern
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Understanding 介词：离
How far is it? How long until something happens? These are questions that 离 answers. 离 measures the gap between two things — either physical distance (这儿离车站有点儿远 — this place is a bit far from the station) or time distance (现在离放假有一个星期 — there is one week until the vacation). The pattern is beautifully simple: A 离 B + how far/how long. You can use it to talk about everything from commute distances to countdown timers. 我家离学校很近 (My home is close to the school). 现在离考试还有三天 (There are still three days until the exam). 离 is one of those words that seems simple but unlocks a huge range of practical expressions. Once you master it, you can describe spatial relationships and time gaps naturally.
Key Points
- 离 (lí) = "distance from / away from" — measures the gap between two points.
- A + 离 + B + 远/近: 我家离学校很近 (My home is close to school).
- A + 离 + B + specific distance: 这儿离车站两公里 (It is 2km from here to the station).
- Time use: 现在离考试还有三天 (There are still 3 days until the exam).
- 离 always needs TWO reference points — it cannot be used with just one.
- 离 + 远 = far from; 离 + 近 = close to.
- 有点儿远 is a gentle way to say "a bit far" without being blunt.
In China, people often describe distance in terms of time rather than kilometers: 离这儿走路十分钟 (ten minutes walk from here) or 坐地铁半个小时 (half an hour by subway). This is very practical in large cities where distance in km does not tell you much about actual travel time.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
这儿离车站有点儿远。
This place is a bit far from the station.
Physical distance
现在离放假有一个星期的时间。
There is one week until the vacation.
Time distance
我家离学校很近。
My home is close to the school.
这个饭馆离这儿不远。
This restaurant is not far from here.
超市离我们公司大概五百米。
The supermarket is about 500 meters from our company.
现在离上课还有十分钟。
There are still ten minutes until class starts.
北京离上海有多远？
How far is Beijing from Shanghai?
图书馆离地铁站走路五分钟。
The library is a five-minute walk from the subway station.
Common Mistakes
The first reference point (A) comes before 离, and the second (B) comes after: A + 离 + B.
The second reference point comes immediately after 离, then the distance description: A + 离 + B + 远/近.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Remember the formula: PLACE A + 离 + PLACE B + how far. The order matters — do not mix up A and B positions.
Use 离 for both space (离学校很远) and time (离放假还有一个月).
When someone asks 离这儿远吗, a natural reply is 不远, 走路十分钟 (Not far, ten minutes on foot).
Practice asking: ……离这儿有多远？This is the single most useful 离 question in daily life.
Homework
Write about five places near where you live using 离: how far each one is from your home. Include both distance (meters/km) and time (walking/driving). Then write three sentences about upcoming events using time-离.