When talking about hiking or going on an excursion in Chinese, you'll often use the verb 远足 (yuǎnzú). It literally translates to 'far foot' or 'distant walk,' which gives you a good idea of its meaning.
You can use 远足 to describe going on a long walk in nature, like a mountain hike, or a trip to a scenic area. For example, you might say, '我们周末去公园远足' (Wǒmen zhōumò qù gōngyuán yuǎnzú), meaning 'We're going hiking in the park this weekend.'
It's a versatile term that covers various outdoor activities involving walking for leisure or exploration. Remember, it usually implies a more substantial walk than just a stroll in the park.
远足 in 30 Seconds
- 远足 means to hike or go on an excursion.
- It's about taking a leisurely walk, often in nature.
- Think of it as 'going for a long walk' or 'hiking'.
Alright, let's talk about '远足' (yuǎnzú). It means 'to hike' or 'to go on an excursion.' It’s a common word, and you'll hear it in various contexts. It's not just for talking about deep wilderness treks; it can be used for any planned outing that involves walking.
§ School and Education
In a school setting, '远足' often refers to a school trip or an educational outing. Think field trips, but specifically ones that involve some walking or exploring outdoors.
- DEFINITION
- School excursion; field trip involving walking.
学校组织了一次有趣的远足活动。(The school organized an interesting hiking/excursion activity.)
孩子们为明天的远足感到兴奋。(The children are excited for tomorrow's excursion.)
§ Leisure and Recreation
This is probably where you'll hear '远足' most often. It's used to describe leisure activities involving walking in nature, like hiking in the mountains or a long walk in a park.
- DEFINITION
- Hiking for pleasure; a leisurely walk or excursion.
周末我们去山上远足了。(We went hiking in the mountains on the weekend.)
他喜欢在公园里远足。(He likes to take long walks/hike in the park.)
§ News and Media
In news reports, '远足' might be used to describe organized group outings, especially those with a specific purpose or destination. It can also appear in travel-related news.
- DEFINITION
- Organized trek; planned excursion (often for a group or event).
该组织每年都会举行一次长途远足。(The organization holds a long-distance hike/excursion every year.)
登山队计划下个月进行一次高山远足。(The mountaineering team plans a high-altitude hike next month.)
§ Common Phrases with '远足'
You'll often hear '远足' paired with words that describe the activity further.
远足活动 (yuǎnzú huódòng): hiking/excursion activity
去远足 (qù yuǎnzú): to go hiking/on an excursion
组织远足 (zǔzhī yuǎnzú): to organize a hike/excursion
So, whether it's a school trip, a weekend hike with friends, or an organized event, '远足' is the word you'll use. It's flexible and practical.
§ Understanding 远足 (yuǎnzú)
远足 (yuǎnzú) literally means 'far' (远) and 'foot/to walk' (足), so it's quite clear about its meaning: to go for a long walk, usually in nature, for leisure or exercise. Think of hiking or going on an excursion.
- DEFINITION
- To hike; to go on an excursion.
我们周末去郊外远足了。(Wǒmen zhōumò qù jiāowài yuǎnzú le.) We went on an excursion to the suburbs last weekend.
§ Similar Words and Key Differences
When you're talking about getting out and about, especially in nature, there are a few Chinese words that might come to mind. Let's break them down.
§ 徒步 (túbù) - To walk, to hike
徒步 (túbù) is very close to 远足 (yuǎnzú) in meaning. It literally means 'on foot' (徒) 'walk' (步). However, 徒步 (túbù) often implies a more focused or strenuous walking activity, like trekking or serious hiking. It can also be used for walking long distances in urban areas, whereas 远足 (yuǎnzú) almost always implies a recreational trip, usually to a scenic spot outside the city.
他喜欢在山区徒步旅行。(Tā xǐhuān zài shānqū túbù lǚxíng.) He likes to hike in the mountains.
§ 散步 (sànbù) - To take a walk, to stroll
散步 (sànbù) is much lighter than 远足 (yuǎnzú) or 徒步 (túbù). It means 'to take a leisurely walk' or 'to stroll.' It's typically shorter, less demanding, and can be done anywhere, like in a park or around your neighborhood. You wouldn't use 散步 (sànbù) to describe a multi-hour hike in the mountains.
晚饭后我们常常去公园散步。(Wǎnfàn hòu wǒmen chángcháng qù gōngyuán sànbù.) We often go for a walk in the park after dinner.
§ 旅行 (lǚxíng) - To travel, to journey
旅行 (lǚxíng) is a broader term meaning 'to travel' or 'to journey.' While 远足 (yuǎnzú) can be a part of a trip, 旅行 (lǚxíng) encompasses all forms of travel, whether by car, train, plane, or even just walking, and usually involves staying overnight or for an extended period. 远足 (yuǎnzú) is more specific to the activity of going for a walk/hike, often for a day trip.
他们计划明年去中国旅行。(Tāmen jìhuà míngnián qù Zhōngguó lǚxíng.) They plan to travel to China next year.
§ When to Use 远足 (yuǎnzú)
You should use 远足 (yuǎnzú) when you're talking about:
- A recreational walk or hike.
- An excursion, often to a scenic spot or the countryside.
- A day trip involving walking as the main activity.
- Something that's more involved than a simple stroll, but not necessarily a serious trek.
Think of it as a pleasant, often planned, walking trip that takes you a bit further from your usual surroundings.
学校组织了一次春季远足。(Xuéxiào zǔzhī le yī cì chūnjì yuǎnzú.) The school organized a spring excursion.
Examples by Level
我们明天去远足。
We are going hiking tomorrow.
我喜欢周末去远足。
I like to go hiking on weekends.
他们经常去公园远足。
They often go hiking in the park.
远足是一项健康的活动。
Hiking is a healthy activity.
我们计划去山里远足。
We plan to go hiking in the mountains.
你喜欢远足吗？
Do you like hiking?
我昨天和朋友去远足了。
I went hiking with friends yesterday.
远足需要穿舒适的鞋子。
Hiking requires comfortable shoes.
周末我们打算去山区远足。
This weekend we plan to hike in the mountains.
远足是一项很好的户外运动。
Hiking is a great outdoor sport.
你喜欢远足吗？
Do you like hiking?
我们上次远足看到了美丽的风景。
We saw beautiful scenery on our last hike.
她每年都会和朋友一起去远足。
She goes hiking with friends every year.
这个公园很适合全家一起远足。
This park is very suitable for the whole family to go on an excursion.
他们计划在这个假期去远足。
They plan to go hiking this holiday.
远足前要做好准备，比如带水和食物。
Before hiking, you need to prepare, such as bringing water and food.
这个周末我们打算去山区远足，你感兴趣吗？
This weekend we plan to hike in the mountains, are you interested?
虽然路途遥远，但这次远足的风景绝对值得。
Although the journey is long, the scenery on this hike is definitely worth it.
为了这次长途远足，我特意买了一双舒适的登山鞋。
For this long-distance hike, I specifically bought a pair of comfortable hiking shoes.
天气好的时候，很多人喜欢到郊外远足，亲近大自然。
When the weather is good, many people like to go hiking in the suburbs to get close to nature.
上次远足，我们意外地发现了一个美丽的瀑布。
During the last hike, we unexpectedly discovered a beautiful waterfall.
他每个月都会安排一次远足，作为锻炼身体的方式。
He arranges a hike every month as a way to exercise.
这次远足的路线比较复杂，需要有经验的人带领。
The route for this hike is relatively complex and requires an experienced person to lead.
听说那里有条新开发的远足小径，我们可以去试试。
I heard there's a newly developed hiking trail there, we can go try it out.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
我们计划周末去远足。
We plan to go hiking this weekend. (我们计划 weekend 去 hike。)
远足是一项很好的运动。
Hiking is a great exercise. (Hike 是 a great exercise。)
他们每年都组织一次远足。
They organize a hike once a year. (他们 every year 都 organize a hike once。)
我喜欢在山上远足。
I like to hike in the mountains. (我 like 在 mountains hike。)
这次远足需要带水和食物。
This hike requires bringing water and food. (This hike 需要带 water and food。)
远足的时候要小心脚下。
Be careful where you step when hiking. (Hike 的时候 要 careful where you step。)
我们学校组织了秋季远足。
Our school organized an autumn excursion. (我们 school organized autumn hike。)
他喜欢独自去远足。
He likes to go hiking alone. (他 like alone 去 hike。)
远足可以让人放松心情。
Hiking can make people relax. (Hike 可以 make people relax。)
那条远足路线很受欢迎。
That hiking route is very popular. (That hike route 很 popular。)
Often Confused With
Focuses on hiking or an excursion, often in nature and involving walking.
General term for travel, can be by any means of transport.
Emphasizes the act of walking, often for exercise.
Easily Confused
Both refer to taking a trip, but with different scopes.
旅行 is a general term for traveling, which can involve various modes of transport and destinations. 远足 specifically refers to hiking or going on an excursion, usually on foot and in nature.
我们计划明年去中国旅行。(Wǒmen jìhuà míngnián qù Zhōngguó lǚxíng.) - We plan to travel to China next year.
Both involve walking, but 徒步 is more focused on the act of walking itself.
徒步 emphasizes walking, often for exercise or exploration, and can be a part of a 远足. 远足 is the broader activity of going on an outing, which can include hiking but also other activities like picnicking.
我喜欢周末去公园徒步。(Wǒ xǐhuān zhōumò qù gōngyuán túbù.) - I like to hike in the park on weekends.
Both involve outings, but 郊游 is typically more relaxed.
郊游 usually refers to a casual outing to the countryside or suburbs, often with family or friends for leisure, and may not involve extensive walking. 远足 implies more active hiking or an exploratory excursion.
我们周末去郊游，带了很多零食。(Wǒmen zhōumò qù jiāoyóu, dài le hěn duō língshí.) - We went on an outing to the suburbs on the weekend and brought a lot of snacks.
Both involve walking, but 散步 is a much lighter activity.
散步 means to take a leisurely stroll, typically for relaxation or light exercise, often in an urban setting or park. 远足 is a more structured and often more physically demanding activity of hiking or going on an excursion.
吃完晚饭，我们常常去公园散步。(Chī wán wǎnfàn, wǒmen chángcháng qù gōngyuán sànbù.) - After dinner, we often go for a walk in the park.
Both are outdoor activities, but with a seasonal and cultural nuance.
踏青 specifically refers to an outing to the countryside in spring to enjoy the fresh greenery. 远足 is a more general term for hiking or excursions and can happen in any season.
清明节的时候，很多人会去踏青。(Qīngmíng jié de shíhòu, hěn duō rén huì qù tàqīng.) - During the Qingming Festival, many people go on a spring outing.
How to Use It
Use 远足 (yuǎnzú) when talking about going for a hike, a trek, or an excursion, usually for leisure or exercise. It implies traveling a distance on foot, often in nature.
A common mistake is confusing 远足 with 徒步 (túbù). While both involve walking, 徒步 is more general for 'to walk' or 'to hike' and can refer to shorter walks or urban walking. 远足 specifically implies a longer, more adventurous excursion. Another mistake is using it for short, casual strolls; for those, words like 散步 (sànbù) are more appropriate.
Test Yourself 30 questions
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 我们喜欢去公园___。
The sentence means 'We like to go to the park to hike.' '远足' fits best with 'go to the park'.
Which of the following activities involves '远足'?
远足 means to hike or go on an excursion, which involves walking in nature like mountains.
Select the sentence where '远足' is used correctly.
远足 is an activity, so it's used with '去' (go) or as a verb describing the activity itself. The other options use '远足' incorrectly as if it were an object or a transitive verb with an object.
You can '远足' in a city shopping mall.
远足 (yuǎnzú) means to hike or go on an excursion, typically outdoors in nature, not in a shopping mall.
Going on a long walk in the countryside is a type of '远足'.
远足 (yuǎnzú) involves going on excursions or hikes, which often includes long walks in natural or rural areas.
If you say '我喜欢远足', it means you like to swim.
'我喜欢远足' means 'I like to hike'. It does not mean 'I like to swim'.
我们计划周末去郊外___。
Context indicates an outdoor activity in the countryside, making '远足' (hiking/excursion) the most suitable verb.
上个月我们一起去山上___了一次。
The sentence describes an activity in the mountains, so '远足' (to hike) fits best.
为了欣赏秋天的景色，他们决定___到森林里。
To 'appreciate autumn scenery' in a forest implies an active outdoor journey, which '远足' (to go on an excursion/hike) describes perfectly.
这次___活动让大家放松了身心。
An activity that helps people 'relax body and mind' is consistent with a recreational '远足' (excursion/hike).
虽然天气有点冷，但我们还是愉快地完成了___。
The context of 'finishing happily' despite cold weather points to an outdoor activity like '远足' (hike/excursion).
学校每年都会组织学生去公园___。
Schools often organize '远足' (excursions) to parks for students, making it the most logical choice.
We are planning to hike to the park tomorrow.
This hiking trip was very successful, everyone had a great time.
Do you like hiking?
Read this aloud:
我们明天要去远足。
Focus: yuǎnzú
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我喜欢周末去远足。
Focus: wǒ xǐhuān zhōumò qù yuǎnzú
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你上周去了哪里远足？
Focus: nǐ shàng zhōu qùle nǎlǐ yuǎnzú
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen for the main activity planned for next weekend.
Pay attention to what is needed for the hike.
What is the group's decision despite the weather forecast?
Read this aloud:
你觉得远足最好的季节是什么时候？
Focus: 远足 (yuǎnzú)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
如果要去远足，你会准备些什么必需品？
Focus: 必需品 (bìxūpǐn)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你有没有过一次难忘的远足经历？请分享一下。
Focus: 难忘 (nánwàng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence structure follows a typical Chinese subject-verb-object pattern, with '下周末' (next weekend) indicating time and '山区' (mountainous area) as the destination for '远足' (hiking).
The sentence begins with a causal clause '由于天气不好' (due to bad weather), followed by the subject '他们' (they) and the action '取消了' (canceled) the '原定的远足活动' (originally planned hiking activity).
This sentence uses the '不仅...也...' (not only...but also...) structure. '这次远足' (this hike) is the subject, and it accomplished two things: '锻炼了身体' (exercised the body) and '让大家欣赏了美丽的风景' (let everyone appreciate the beautiful scenery).
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
远足 is a useful verb for talking about hiking or going on a recreational excursion.
- 远足 means to hike or go on an excursion.
- It's about taking a leisurely walk, often in nature.
- Think of it as 'going for a long walk' or 'hiking'.
Example
周末我们去山上远足了。
