About
The character for distance originated as the traditional form "遠", constructed from the movement radical "辶" combined with the phonetic element "袁", a design that semantically connected travel with the state of being far away. Over time, while its pronunciation shifted, the essential meaning of spatial or temporal remoteness remained stable, later extending into abstract uses such as emotional detachment or profound implications. The character's structure was later altered through a simplification process that replaced the complex "袁" with the more straightforward component "元", resulting in the current form "远", which maintains the original concept despite the change in its phonetic indicator. This evolution from "遠" to "远" illustrates how the character's foundational idea persists even as its written form adapts for practical use, reflecting a balance between historical etymology and functional design in the writing system.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的朋友住得很远。
我们学校离车站不远。
他打算去远方旅行。
这个故事发生在遥远的古代。
从长远的观点看，这是对的。
望远镜能让我们看到远方的星星。
对未来的影响深远，我们必须谨慎决定。
即使相隔遥远，他们的友谊也从未改变。