Expressing Distance: "Away From" with 离 (lí)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 离 (lí) to describe the distance between two points, whether it's near, far, or a specific measurement.
- Structure: A + 离 + B + [distance/adjective]. Example: 我家离学校很近 (My home is near the school).
- Use '远' (far) or '近' (near) to describe general distance. Example: 医院离这儿很远 (The hospital is very far from here).
- Use specific measurements for precision. Example: 机场离市中心三十公里 (The airport is 30km from the city center).
Overview
Mastering expressions of distance is fundamental to navigating daily life and complex conversations in Chinese. While English typically uses the versatile preposition "from" for both origin and separation, Chinese employs distinct grammatical structures to differentiate these concepts. This distinction is crucial for clarity and accuracy.
For expressing the static distance or separation "away from" a reference point, Chinese predominantly uses the coverb 离 (lí). This structure allows you to precisely quantify or qualify the gap—be it spatial, temporal, or even abstract—between two entities, describing a state of being apart rather than the act of moving away.
Historically, the character 离 (lí) (old form 離) inherently denotes separation, parting, or leaving. This core meaning underpins its modern grammatical function, establishing a fixed point from which a measurement of distance is taken. Unlike 从 (cóng), which marks the starting point of an action or movement, 离 (lí) functions as a linguistic "tape measure," indicating a relational state of non-proximity.
Think of it not as a dynamic departure, but as a static descriptor of how far one thing is positioned relative to another. Understanding 离 (lí) is key to moving beyond rudimentary location descriptions and engaging in more nuanced communication about space and time.
For instance, if you want to say your house is far from the school, you wouldn't use 从 (cóng). Instead, you'd accurately state 我家离学校很远 (wǒ jiā lí xuéxiào hěn yuǎn), literally "My house away-from school very far." This grammar pattern is indispensable for tasks such as giving directions, discussing commute times, planning events, and even expressing interpersonal relationships, making it a cornerstone for B1-level learners aiming to converse with greater precision and confidence.
How This Grammar Works
离 (lí) functions as a coverb (介词 jiècí), which is a type of verb that acts similarly to a preposition in English, introducing an object to form a prepositional phrase. This phrase then typically precedes the main verb or adjective in a sentence. The primary role of 离 (lí) is to establish a reference point from which a distance or separation is measured.离 (lí) phrase (离 B) directly modifies the subsequent description of distance or proximity. It sets up the relational context before stating the distance.离 (lí) to quantify:- Spatial Distance: How far one location is from another. For example,
超市离我家很近 (chāoshì lí wǒ jiā hěn jìn)– "The supermarket is very close to my home." Here,我家 (wǒ jiā)is the reference point. - Temporal Distance: How far an event or date is from the present moment or another point in time. For instance,
期末考试离现在还有一个星期 (qīmò kǎoshì lí xiànzài hái yǒu yī ge xīngqī)– "The final exam is still one week away from now."现在 (xiànzài)serves as the temporal reference. - Abstract Distance: The metaphorical gap between concepts, ideals, or even individuals. You might hear
他的想法离现实太远了 (tā de xiǎngfǎ lí xiànshí tài yuǎn le)– "His ideas are too far removed from reality." In this case,现实 (xiànshí)is the abstract reference point.
离 (lí) always describes a static relationship of separation, a measurement between two fixed points. It highlights the interval or gap, rather than the trajectory of movement. This contrasts sharply with coverbs like 从 (cóng) and 往 (wǎng), which are inherently dynamic and indicate origin or direction of motion, respectively.离 (lí) as a static relational coverb unlocks a more profound comprehension of Chinese spatial and temporal expressions.Formation Pattern
离 (lí) structure is remarkably consistent and follows a clear pattern, making it highly predictable once you grasp its core components. It primarily connects a subject to a reference point, followed by an adjective or a specific quantity indicating distance. This pattern can be expanded to include various adverbs of degree, numerical measurements, and both positive and negative statements.
学校 (xuéxiào) | xuéxiào | "school" |
离 (lí) | Coverb: "away from" | 离 (lí) | lí | "away from" |
我家 (wǒ jiā) | wǒ jiā | "my home" |
很 (hěn) (very) | 很 (hěn) | hěn | "very" |
近 (jìn) (close) / 远 (yuǎn) (far) | jìn / yuǎn | "close" / "far" |
我住的地方离公司很近。
Wǒ zhù de dìfāng lí gōngsī hěn jìn.
不 (bù) before the adjective, or for emphasis, before the entire 离 (lí) phrase if negating the relationship itself (less common for simple distance).
地铁站离我家不远。
Dìtiě zhàn lí wǒ jiā bù yuǎn.
有 (yǒu) is often used before the quantity. While 有 (yǒu) isn't strictly mandatory in all contexts, its inclusion makes the sentence sound more complete and natural, emphasizing the existence of that specific distance or duration.
北京离上海大约有一千多公里。
Běijīng lí Shànghǎi dàyuē yǒu yī qiān duō gōnglǐ.
他的生日离新年还有两个月。
Tā de shēngrì lí Xīnnián hái yǒu liǎng ge yuè.
多远 (duō yuǎn) (how far) or 多长时间 (duō cháng shíjiān) (how long) at the end of the sentence.
你家离学校多远？
Nǐ jiā lí xuéxiào duō yuǎn?
离 (lí) phrase (离 + Reference Point B) always comes before the adjective or distance/time measurement.
很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng) (extremely), 太 (tài) (too), 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) (a little bit) precede the adjective.
有 (yǒu) is commonly used when stating specific numerical distances or durations.
When To Use It
离 (lí) is specifically employed to describe a static relationship of separation or proximity. It answers the question "how far apart are these two things?" or "how close are they?" without implying any movement. This makes it suitable for a variety of contexts where you need to state a distance or time gap from a fixed reference.- Geographical Locations: This is the most common application. Use
离 (lí)when discussing the distance between cities, buildings, landmarks, or any physical points. It's crucial for giving and understanding directions. For example,这家咖啡店离地铁口很近，走路三分钟就到了。 (Zhè jiā kāfēidiàn lí dìtiě kǒu hěn jìn, zǒulù sān fēnzhōng jiù dào le.)– "This coffee shop is very close to the subway exit, you can get there in a three-minute walk." Here,地铁口 (dìtiě kǒu)is the static reference point.
- Temporal Intervals:
离 (lí)is equally useful for measuring time. It expresses how much time remains until an event, or how long ago an event occurred relative to another point in time. For instance,春节离现在还有两个多月呢。 (Chūnjié lí xiànzài hái yǒu liǎng ge duō yuè ne.)– "The Spring Festival is still more than two months away from now." The现在 (xiànzài)serves as the current fixed time marker.
- Abstract Proximity/Distance: Beyond concrete measurements,
离 (lí)can describe metaphorical gaps. This is particularly insightful for B1 learners, as it reveals a deeper, more idiomatic use of the language. You can use it to discuss the closeness of ideas, goals, or even people's emotional states.他的梦想离成功不远了。 (Tā de mèngxiǎng lí chénggōng bù yuǎn le.)– "His dream is not far from success." This implies his dream is almost realized. Similarly,我们俩的意见离得很远。 (Wǒmen liǎ de yìjiàn lí dé hěn yuǎn.)– "Our opinions are very far apart," indicating a significant disagreement.
- Conditionals and Requirements: Sometimes,
离 (lí)can describe how far something is from meeting a certain condition or standard.这份报告离完美还有一点距离。 (Zhè fèn bàogào lí wánměi hái yǒu yī diǎn jùlí.)– "This report is still a little distance from being perfect." This conveys that while good, it hasn't quite reached the ideal standard. It highlights the remaining gap.
离 (lí) always establishes a relationship of separation from a fixed, non-moving reference point. It allows you to describe how A is situated relative to B without any implication of A traveling from B. This is why it’s perfectly natural for a GPS or navigation app to tell you 你离目的地还有五公里 (Nǐ lí mùdìdì hái yǒu wǔ gōnglǐ) – "You are still five kilometers from your destination" – referring to your current, static position relative to the destination at that instant, not your origin of travel.Common Mistakes
离 (lí), often due to interference from English grammar or an incomplete understanding of coverbs. Identifying and correcting these common pitfalls will significantly enhance your accuracy and naturalness.- 1Confusing
离 (lí)with从 (cóng): This is arguably the most pervasive mistake. While both can translate to "from" in English, their functions in Chinese are fundamentally different.
从 (cóng)denotes the starting point of an action or movement. It answers "where did this start?" or "where does this come from?" For example,我从北京来。 (Wǒ cóng Běijīng lái.)– "I come from Beijing." (Origin of travel/action).从明天开始。 (Cóng míngtiān kāishǐ.)– "Starting from tomorrow." (Origin in time).离 (lí)denotes static distance or separation. It answers "how far apart are these two things?" For example,我家离公司很近。 (Wǒ jiā lí gōngsī hěn jìn.)– "My home is close to the company." (Static relationship).考试离现在还有三天。 (Kǎoshì lí xiànzài hái yǒu sān tiān.)– "The exam is still three days away from now." (Static temporal gap).
离 (lí) | 从 (cóng) |学校离我家远。 (School is far from my home.) | 我从学校回家。 (I go home from school.) |新年离现在不远。 (New Year is not far from now.) | 从早上起就下雨。 (It's been raining since morning.) |- 1Incorrect Word Order: Learners often try to mirror English sentence structure, placing
离 (lí)at the end or in an unnatural position. Remember, the离 (lí)phrase (离 + Reference Point B) acts as an adverbial modifier and must precede the main verb or adjective expressing distance.
- Incorrect:
我家很远离学校。(Wǒ jiā hěn yuǎn lí xuéxiào.) – This is ungrammatical. - Correct:
我家离学校很远。(Wǒ jiā lí xuéxiào hěn yuǎn.) – "My home is far from the school."
- 1Omitting the Adjective or Distance/Time Expression: A common error is to end the sentence immediately after the
离 (lí)phrase without completing the thought.离 (lí)introduces a relationship that requires a subsequent descriptor of that relationship (e.g., near, far, 5km, 3 days).
- Incorrect:
公司离我家。(Gōngsī lí wǒ jiā.) – Incomplete sentence. - Correct:
公司离我家很近。(Gōngsī lí wǒ jiā hěn jìn.) – "The company is very close to my home." - Correct:
公司离我家有三公里。(Gōngsī lí wǒ jiā yǒu sān gōnglǐ.) – "The company is three kilometers from my home."
- 1Misinterpreting
离 (lí)as "leaving" or "departing": While the character离can mean "to leave" (e.g.,离开 (líkāi)), in the离 (lí)B (distance) structure, it never implies an action of departure by the subject. It solely describes the state of being at a certain distance from something.
- If you want to say "He left home," you would say
他离开了家。 (Tā líkāi le jiā.)not他离家很远。(which would mean "He is far from home").
Real Conversations
To truly master 离 (lí), it's essential to see how native speakers integrate it into everyday communication. The formal rules provide the framework, but real-world usage often adds nuance, abbreviation, or specific colloquial patterns. Here are examples reflecting modern Chinese conversations, from casual chat to practical inquiries.
1. Asking for Directions (Casual Chat App):
朋友A: 你家离地铁站远不远？
Péngyǒu A: Nǐ jiā lí dìtiě zhàn yuǎn bù yuǎn?
"Friend A: Is your place far from the subway station?" (Lit. "Your home away-from subway station far not far?")
朋友B: 不远，走路五分钟就到了。
Péngyǒu B: Bù yuǎn, zǒulù wǔ fēnzhōng jiù dào le.
"Friend B: Not far, just a five-minute walk."
Observation
远不远 (yuǎn bù yuǎn) A-not-A question form is very common for distance inquiries.2. Planning a Meet-up (Work Email/Message):
同事A: 下周的会议地点定了吗？离我们公司近吗？
Tóngshì A: Xià zhōu de huìyì dìdiǎn dìng le ma? Lí wǒmen gōngsī jìn ma?
"Colleague A: Has the meeting location for next week been decided? Is it close to our company?"
同事B: 定了，在市中心。离公司大概有三站地铁的距离。
Tóngshì B: Dìng le, zài shì zhōngxīn. Lí gōngsī dàgài yǒu sān zhàn dìtiě de jùlí.
"Colleague B: Yes, it's in the city center. It's about three subway stops away from the company."
Observation
大概 (dàgài) (approximately) is frequently used with specific distances. 三站地铁的距离 (sān zhàn dìtiě de jùlí) (a distance of three subway stops) is a very common way to express distance using a practical metric.3. Discussing an Event Deadline (Social Media Post/Comment):
网友A: 抢票截止日期快到了，好紧张啊！
Wǎngyǒu A: Qiǎngpiào jiézhǐ rìqī kuài dào le, hǎo jǐnzhāng a!
"Netizen A: The ticket grabbing deadline is almost here, so nervous!"
网友B: 别急，离截止还有三天呢，足够了！
Wǎngyǒu B: Bié jí, lí jiézhǐ hái yǒu sān tiān ne, zúgòu le!
"Netizen B: Don't worry, there are still three days until the deadline, that's plenty!"
Observation
还 (hái) (still) is often used with 离 (lí) for temporal distance to emphasize the remaining time. ...呢 (...ne) adds a colloquial, slightly reassuring tone.4. Everyday Observation (Personal Blog/Text):
我发现我的小猫咪总是离我不远，不管我在哪里。
Wǒ fāxiàn wǒ de xiǎomāomī zǒng shì lí wǒ bù yuǎn, bùguǎn wǒ zài nǎlǐ.
"I found that my little cat is always not far from me, no matter where I am."
Observation
离我不远 (lí wǒ bù yuǎn) is a natural way to express a close, but not precisely measured, proximity. It's a common observation about pets or people who stick close by.5. Expressing Abstract Distance (Discussion/Reflection):
他们俩虽然是亲兄弟，但想法却离得很远。
Tāmen liǎ suīrán shì qīn xiōngdì, dàn xiǎngfǎ què lí de hěn yuǎn.
"Even though they are blood brothers, their ideas are very far apart."
Observation
却 (què) (but; however) highlights the contrast, and 离得很远 (lí de hěn yuǎn) is a strong idiomatic way to describe a significant conceptual or emotional gap.These examples illustrate that 离 (lí) is seamlessly woven into diverse conversational contexts, maintaining its core function of describing static distance. Pay attention to the subtle additions of adverbs and particles that give these sentences their natural flow and tone.
Quick FAQ
离 (lí) that often arise as learners progress, addressing common points of confusion and providing further clarity.A 离 B... structure? For example, is "B 离 A..." the same as "A 离 B...?"Conceptually, yes, the physical or temporal distance between A and B is the same regardless of which point you consider the subject. "My home is far from the school" implies the same distance as "The school is far from my home." However, in Chinese, the Subject (A) is typically the item you are currently focusing on or introducing, and the Reference Point (B) is usually something already known or established in the context. So, while grammatically interchangeable regarding the distance itself, the choice often reflects conversational flow and emphasis. You choose A 离 B when A is the topic you're talking about and B is the reference point you're relating A to. For example, if someone asks about your home, you'd say 我家离学校很远 (Wǒ jiā lí xuéxiào hěn yuǎn). If the conversation is about the school's location, you might say 学校离我家很远 (Xuéxiào lí wǒ jiā hěn yuǎn).
离 (lí)?Absolutely, and it's a very common and precise way to express distance. When stating a specific numerical distance or duration, you will often use 有 (yǒu) before the quantity. This 有 (yǒu) signifies the existence of that specific measurement.
- Example (Spatial):
我家离公司有三公里。 (Wǒ jiā lí gōngsī yǒu sān gōnglǐ.)– "My home is three kilometers away from the company." - Example (Temporal):
离放假还有两个星期。 (Lí fàngjià hái yǒu liǎng ge xīngqī.)– "There are still two weeks until the holiday." (Note that here,放假 (fàngjià)is the event, serving as the reference point, and the implicit subject is "the present moment" or "us.")
离机场开车需要半小时。 (Lí jīchǎng kāichē xūyào bàn xiǎoshí.) – "It takes half an hour to drive to the airport." (Lit. "Away-from airport driving needs half an hour.")离 (lí) work for emotional or abstract distances, like in relationships?Yes, 离 (lí) is frequently used to describe abstract or metaphorical distances, including emotional gaps in relationships or the divergence of ideas and goals. This demonstrates its versatility beyond physical space and time.
- Example (Emotional):
他最近的表现，让我们觉得离他越来越远了。 (Tā zuìjìn de biǎoxiàn, ràng wǒmen juéde lí tā yuè lái yuè yuǎn le.)– "His recent behavior makes us feel more and more distant from him." - Example (Ideological):
他们的观点离主流社会很远。 (Tāmen de guāndiǎn lí zhǔliú shèhuì hěn yuǎn.)– "Their views are very far from mainstream society."
离 (lí) even when the subject and reference point are intangible.离...很远 (lí... hěn yuǎn) and 离...不远 (lí... bù yuǎn)?The difference lies in the degree of distance being expressed:
离...很远 (lí... hěn yuǎn): Means "very far from...". This indicates a significant distance. The很 (hěn)acts as an intensifier, although it can sometimes function merely as a linking verb in standard declarative sentences when no other adverb of degree is present.我家离市中心很远。 (Wǒ jiā lí shì zhōngxīn hěn yuǎn.)– "My home is very far from the city center."
离...不远 (lí... bù yuǎn): Means "not far from..." or "quite close to...". This indicates a short or manageable distance.不 (bù)negates the "far" part, implying proximity.我家离学校不远。 (Wǒ jiā lí xuéxiào bù yuǎn.)– "My home is not far from the school."
离...不远 is often preferred over 离...很近 (lí... hěn jìn) for expressing moderate closeness, as it sounds a bit more natural and less emphatic than 很近 for simple proximity. However, both 很近 and 不远 are correct and commonly used depending on the desired emphasis.离 (lí), reinforcing its importance in accurately describing spatial, temporal, and abstract relationships in Chinese.Distance Structure Table
| Subject | 离 | Reference Point | Distance/Adjective |
|---|---|---|---|
|
我家
|
离
|
学校
|
很近
|
|
医院
|
离
|
这儿
|
五公里
|
|
考试
|
离
|
今天
|
还有三天
|
|
超市
|
离
|
地铁站
|
不远
|
|
他
|
离
|
目标
|
很远
|
|
会议
|
离
|
现在
|
还有一小时
|
Meanings
The preposition 离 (lí) is used to indicate the spatial or temporal distance between two points or entities.
Spatial Distance
Describing how far one place is from another.
“学校离我家不远。”
“北京离上海有多远？”
Temporal Distance
Describing how much time remains until an event.
“离考试还有三天。”
“离新年只有一周了。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
A 离 B + Adj
|
学校离家很近
|
|
Negative
|
A 离 B + 不 + Adj
|
学校离家不远
|
|
Question
|
A 离 B + Adj + 吗?
|
学校离家远吗?
|
|
Measurement
|
A 离 B + Distance
|
学校离家五公里
|
|
Time
|
离 + Event + Time
|
离考试还有三天
|
|
Degree
|
A 离 B + 太 + Adj
|
学校离家太远了
|
Formality Spectrum
请问车站离这里有多远？ (Asking for directions)
车站离这儿远吗？ (Asking for directions)
车站离这儿远不远？ (Asking for directions)
车站离这儿多远啊？ (Asking for directions)
The 离 Distance Map
Spatial
- 很近 very close
- 很远 very far
Temporal
- 还有 still have
- 剩下 remaining
Examples by Level
学校离我家很近。
The school is very close to my home.
医院离这儿远吗？
Is the hospital far from here?
公司离我不远。
The company is not far from me.
超市离车站很近。
The supermarket is close to the station.
离下课还有十分钟。
There are 10 minutes left until class ends.
离这儿最近的银行在哪儿？
Where is the closest bank to here?
我家离公园有两公里。
My home is 2km from the park.
离生日还有一个月。
There is one month until the birthday.
这个项目离完成还有很长一段距离。
This project is still a long way from completion.
离机场最近的酒店已经满了。
The hotel closest to the airport is already full.
他家离市中心太远，不方便。
His home is too far from the city center, it's not convenient.
离比赛开始只剩下五分钟了。
Only 5 minutes left until the match starts.
离真相大白还有很长的路要走。
There is a long way to go before the truth is revealed.
我们离目标已经非常接近了。
We are very close to our goal.
离这里三公里处有一个加油站。
There is a gas station 3km from here.
离家出走并不是解决问题的方法。
Running away from home is not the way to solve problems.
离此地不远有一座古老的寺庙。
Not far from this place stands an ancient temple.
离职申请已经提交了。
The resignation application has been submitted.
离心力是物理学中的一个概念。
Centrifugal force is a concept in physics.
离群索居的生活并不适合每个人。
A life of solitude is not for everyone.
离经叛道往往需要巨大的勇气。
Departing from the classics and rebelling against the path often requires great courage.
离合悲欢是人生的常态。
Partings and reunions, joys and sorrows are the norm of life.
离题万里，我们还是回到正题吧。
We have digressed far from the topic, let's return to the main point.
离间计在古代战争中很常见。
Sowing discord (strategy) was common in ancient warfare.
Easily Confused
Both involve locations, but one is for distance, the other for origin.
One is a preposition, the other is a noun.
One is for distance, the other is for destination.
Common Mistakes
我家很远离学校
我家离学校很远
学校离家远
学校离家很远
离学校我家很近
我家离学校很近
学校离家近吗
学校离家近吗?
离考试还有三天时间
离考试还有三天
我家离学校有远
我家离学校很远
离这儿五公里远
离这儿五公里
我离目标还有很远
我离目标还有一段距离
离下班还有十分钟
离下班还有十分钟
他离我太远了
他离我太远了
离题了
离题了
Sentence Patterns
___ 离 ___ 很近。
离 ___ 还有 ___。
___ 离 ___ 有 ___ 公里。
___ 离 ___ 并不远，___。
Real World Usage
这家店离我太远了。
酒店离机场近吗？
离你家还有多远？
公司离我家很近，交通方便。
离目的地还有五百米。
离活动开始还有三天。
Use '很' for emphasis
Don't swap locations
Use for time too
Be specific
Smart Tips
Always use the structure A 离 B + distance.
Use 离 + Event + 还有 + Time.
Put the measurement at the end.
Use the A-not-A structure for natural flow.
Pronunciation
Tone of 离
离 is a second tone (lí). Ensure the pitch rises.
Question intonation
离这儿远吗? ↗
Rising pitch at the end indicates a question.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 离 as a 'gap' marker. It measures the gap between two things.
Visual Association
Imagine two people standing on opposite sides of a canyon. The canyon is the 离 distance.
Rhyme
Distance near or distance far, use 离 to show where they are.
Story
Xiao Wang wanted to know how far his house was from the office. He asked his friend, '我家离公司远吗?' His friend replied, '离这儿只有两公里!' Xiao Wang was happy.
Word Web
Challenge
Look at your phone map, pick two locations, and write one sentence using 离 to describe the distance.
Cultural Notes
In cities, people often use time (minutes) rather than distance (km) to describe how far something is.
Similar usage, but sometimes '距离' is used more frequently in formal contexts.
Cantonese speakers often use '離' in the same way, though the spoken structure might vary slightly.
The character 离 originally meant 'to separate' or 'to leave'.
Conversation Starters
你家离学校远吗？
离下班还有多久？
你觉得离目标还有多远？
离这儿最近的地铁站在哪？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
我家 ___ 学校很近。
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
学校离家有远。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
The hospital is 5km from here.
Answer starts with: 医院离...
离 / 还有 / 下班 / 一小时
Is this sentence natural?
离新年 ___ 一周了。
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises我家 ___ 学校很近。
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
学校离家有远。
离 / 还有 / 考试 / 三天
The hospital is 5km from here.
离 / 还有 / 下班 / 一小时
Is this sentence natural?
离新年 ___ 一周了。
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises{学校|xuéxiào} / {远|yuǎn} / {离|lí} / {不|bù} / {这里|zhèlǐ}
{离|Lí} {下课|xiàkè} ___ {五|wǔ} {分钟|fēnzhōng}。
A: {你|Nǐ} {家|jiā} {离|lí} {地铁站|dìtiězhàn} {远|yuǎn} {吗|ma}?
How far is the airport from here?
Match phrases
{离|Lí} {只有|zhǐyǒu} {我|wǒ} {家|jiā} {这里|zhèlǐ} {一|yī} {米|mǐ}。
{这|Zhè} {离|lí} {超市|chāoshì} ___ {远|yuǎn}。
Select the sentence about time.
{邮局|Yóujú} / {吗|ma} / {远|yuǎn} / {离|lí} / {你|nǐ}
A: {北京|Běijīng} {离|lí} {上海|Shànghǎi} {远|yuǎn}，{还是|háishì} {离|lí} {天津|Tiānjīn} {远|yuǎn}？
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, you can say '我和他离得很远' (We are far apart).
No, it is also used for time and abstract goals.
In Chinese, adjectives often need '很' to complete the sentence structure.
Only if the subject is implied by the context.
离 is a preposition; 距离 is a noun.
Yes, '我家离学校不远'.
Yes, for project timelines.
Very few; it is standard in all Mandarin-speaking regions.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
estar lejos de
Spanish requires verb conjugation (estar), whereas 离 is a preposition.
être loin de
French uses 'de' as the preposition, while Chinese uses 离.
entfernt von
German word order is more flexible than the strict Chinese structure.
～から離れている
Japanese uses a verb phrase at the end, while Chinese uses an adjective.
بعيد عن
Arabic grammar is highly inflected, unlike the isolating nature of Chinese.
离
N/A
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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