Definitions

yuǎn (adjective) far; distant; remote
yuǎn (verb) to be far away from

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The traditional form 遠 combines the semantic radical 辶, indicating movement, with the phonetic component 袁. In the simplified form 远, the complex right side is replaced by the phonetic element 元, significantly reducing stroke count while preserving the movement radical. The core meaning is "distant" or "far", primarily describing physical distance between places. This concept extends to temporal distance, referring to the remote past or distant future, as well as abstract distinctions, such as remote relationships or profound differences between ideas.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的朋友住得很

Wǒ de péngyou zhù de hěn yuǎn.

My friend lives very far away.

我们学校离车站不

Wǒmen xuéxiào lí chēzhàn bù yuǎn.

Our school is not far from the bus station.

他打算去方旅行。

Tā dǎsuàn qù yuǎnfāng lǚxíng.

He plans to travel to a distant place.

这个故事发生在遥的古代。

Zhège gùshi fāshēng zài yáoyuǎn de gǔdài.

This story took place in the remote ancient times.

从长的观点看,这是对的。

Cóng chángyuǎn de guāndiǎn kàn, zhè shì duì de.

From a long-term point of view, this is correct.

镜能让我们看到方的星星。

Wàngyuǎnjìng néng ràng wǒmen kàn dào yuǎnfāng de xīngxing.

Telescopes allow us to see distant stars.

对未来的影响深,我们必须谨慎决定。

Duì wèilái de yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn, wǒmen bìxū jǐnshèn juédìng.

Its impact on the future is profound; we must decide carefully.

即使相隔遥,他们的友谊也从未改变。

Jíshǐ xiānggé yáoyuǎn, tāmen de yǒuyì yě cóng wèi gǎibiàn.

Even though they are separated by a great distance, their friendship has never changed.