多远 in 30 Seconds
- 多远 (duō yuǎn) means 'how far' and is used to ask about distance between two points.
- It is commonly used with the preposition '离' (lí) in the pattern 'A 离 B 多远?'.
- While primarily for physical distance, it can also be used metaphorically for goals or progress.
- Do not confuse it with '多久' (duō jiǔ), which is used for time duration.
The phrase 多远 (duō yuǎn) is the fundamental way to inquire about distance in the Chinese language. Composed of two characters—多 (duō), meaning 'many' or 'much' (acting here as an interrogative adverb meaning 'to what extent'), and 远 (yuǎn), meaning 'far'—the combination literally translates to 'to what extent far?' or more naturally, 'how far?' This construction is part of a larger family of Chinese questions where '多' is paired with an adjective to ask about degree, such as 多高 (how tall), 多重 (how heavy), or 多大 (how big/old). In daily life, you will encounter this phrase in almost every context involving navigation, travel planning, or even abstract measurements of progress.
- Physical Distance
- This is the most common usage. It is used to ask about the mileage or meterage between two geographic points. For example, asking for the distance between a hotel and a subway station or between two cities. It is usually used with the '离' (lí) structure: 'A 离 B 多远?'
请问，超市离这里还有多远？ (Excuse me, how much further is the supermarket from here?)
- Metaphorical Distance
- Beyond physical roads, '多远' can describe the gap between ideals and reality, or the progress made toward a specific goal. If you are working on a project, someone might ask how far you are from finishing, though '还有多少' is also common in that context. In emotional contexts, it can describe the distance between two people's hearts or understandings.
我不知道他家离这儿有多远。 (I don't know how far his house is from here.)
- Temporal Distance (Rare but possible)
- While '多久' (duō jiǔ) is the standard for 'how long (time)', '多远' is sometimes used when the time is viewed as a journey or a distance to be traveled on a timeline, though this is more poetic or specific to certain dialects.
你打算走多远？ (How far do you plan to go? — can refer to both physical distance and life goals.)
无论多远，我都会去找你。 (No matter how far it is, I will go find you.)
你最远跑过多远？ (What is the furthest distance you have ever run?)
Mastering the use of 多远 (duō yuǎn) requires understanding specific sentence patterns, primarily the '离' (lí) structure. In Chinese, to express the distance from one place to another, we use the pattern: Place A + 离 + Place B + (有) + 多远?. The word '有' (yǒu) is optional but frequently used to add a sense of 'possessing' a certain amount of distance.
- The Basic Question Pattern
- When you want to know the distance from your current location to a destination, you use '这里' (zhèlǐ - here) as Place A. For example: '这里离火车站多远？' (How far is it from here to the train station?). Note that the question mark is the only indicator of the question, as the word order remains the same as a statement.
北京离上海有多远？ (How far is it from Beijing to Shanghai?)
- The '到' (dào) Pattern
- Another common way to ask is using '从... 到...' (from... to...). The pattern is: 从 Place A 到 Place B 有多远?. This emphasizes the journey or the path taken between the two points. It is often used when discussing travel routes or specific itineraries.
从你公司到飞机场有多远？ (How far is it from your office to the airport?)
- Using '多远' as a Subject or Object
- '多远' can also act as the object of a verb like '走' (zǒu - walk/travel) or '看' (kàn - see). For example, '你能看多远？' (How far can you see?). Here, it functions as a complement of degree, asking about the extent of the action's reach.
无论走多远，都不要忘记家乡。 (No matter how far you travel, never forget your hometown.)
你觉得这种望远镜能看多远？ (How far do you think these binoculars can see?)
你知道从地表到地心有多远吗？ (Do you know how far it is from the Earth's surface to its center?)
In the modern Chinese-speaking world, 多远 (duō yuǎn) is ubiquitous, especially with the rise of technology and urban living. You will hear it in taxi cabs, while using GPS apps, and when discussing the logistics of meeting up with friends. It is a word of practical necessity, helping people navigate the vast geography of China and the complexities of daily commutes.
- In Transportation and Navigation
- When you get into a Didi (the Chinese equivalent of Uber), you might ask the driver, '离目的地还有多远？' (How far are we still from the destination?). Similarly, voice assistants on Baidu Maps or Amap will use '多远' to indicate remaining distance. It is the language of the road.
师傅，离下个高速出口还有多远？ (Driver, how much further to the next highway exit?)
- In Real Estate and City Planning
- When looking for an apartment, a crucial question is '房子离地铁站多远？' (How far is the apartment from the subway station?). In China's mega-cities, proximity to public transit is a major factor in property value and daily convenience. You will see this phrase in countless property listings and hear it in every real estate negotiation.
我正在看房，想知道这儿离最近的医院有多远。 (I'm looking at apartments and want to know how far it is from here to the nearest hospital.)
- In Outdoor Activities and Sports
- Hikers, runners, and cyclists use '多远' to gauge their progress. '我们已经走了多远了？' (How far have we already walked?). In sports like golf or javelin throwing, coaches use it to ask about the range of a shot or throw.
你今天跑步跑了多远？ (How far did you run today?)
不管路有多长，走多远，我都会坚持下去。 (No matter how long the road is, or how far I walk, I will persevere.)
你知道光一秒钟能走多远吗？ (Do you know how far light can travel in one second?)
While 多远 (duō yuǎn) seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble due to differences in how the two languages conceptualize 'distance' and 'time'. The most frequent errors involve confusion with time-related phrases and incorrect prepositional usage. Understanding these pitfalls will make your Chinese sound significantly more natural and precise.
- Mistake 1: Confusing '多远' with '多久'
- In English, we sometimes use 'far' to refer to time (e.g., 'How far away is your birthday?'). In Chinese, this is strictly incorrect. '多远' is only for spatial distance. For time duration or how long until an event, you must use '多久' (duō jiǔ). Saying '你的生日还有多远？' sounds very strange to a native speaker.
❌ Incorrect: 开会还有多远？
✅ Correct: 开会还有多久？ (How much longer until the meeting?)
- Mistake 2: Omitting '离' (lí)
- English uses 'from... to...' or 'How far is [Place A] to [Place B]?' Beginners often try to translate this directly, resulting in '北京到上海多远？'. While understandable, the standard and more common structure uses '离'. Skipping '离' makes the sentence feel incomplete or slightly awkward in formal speech.
❌ Awkward: 学校到家多远？
✅ Better: 学校离家有多远？ (How far is it from school to home?)
- Mistake 3: Using '多远' for specific quantities
- '多远' is for questions or general degree. If you want to say 'It is 5 kilometers far,' you don't use '多远'. You simply state the distance: '有五公里' (It's five kilometers). Some learners try to say '有五公里多远', which is redundant and incorrect in most contexts.
❌ Incorrect: 这儿离那儿有十米多远。
✅ Correct: 这儿离那儿有十米。 (It's ten meters from here to there.)
你不知道他跑了多远，他可是跑了马拉松！ (You don't know how far he ran; he ran a marathon! — Correct use as an emphatic degree.)
无论目标有多远，我都会努力。 (No matter how far the goal is, I will work hard. — Correct abstract use.)
While 多远 (duō yuǎn) is the most common way to ask about distance, Chinese offers several other words and structures depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Knowing these alternatives will help you navigate different social settings and more technical discussions.
- 距离 (jù lí) vs. 多远
- '距离' is a noun meaning 'distance.' While '多远' is used in the question 'How far?', '距离' is used to talk about the concept of distance itself or in more formal/scientific contexts. For example, '两点之间的距离' (the distance between two points). You wouldn't use '多远' as a noun in this way.
请计算这两座城市之间的距离。 (Please calculate the distance between these two cities.)
- 路程 (lù chéng) vs. 多远
- '路程' refers to the 'journey' or 'path length.' While '多远' asks about the straight-line or general distance, '路程' specifically refers to the distance traveled along a specific route. It's often used when discussing how tiring a trip was or the physical length of a road.
这段路程非常艰辛。 (This journey/stretch of road is very difficult.)
- 远不远 (yuǎn bù yuǎn)
- This is the 'A-not-A' question format. It literally means 'Far or not far?'. It is much more casual than '多远'. Use '远不远' when you just want a quick assessment (Is it far? Yes or No) rather than a specific number of kilometers.
你家离公司远不远？ (Is your home far from the office?)
这种新科技能让我们走得更远。 (This new technology can let us go further. — Here '远' is used as a comparative result.)
这个计划离成功还有一段距离。 (This plan is still some distance away from success.)
Examples by Level
你家多远？
How far is your home?
Simple subject + question phrase.
超市多远？
How far is the supermarket?
A1 level basic inquiry.
学校不远。
School is not far.
Answer to a '多远' question.
北京远吗？
Is Beijing far?
Alternative to '多远' using '吗'.
这里有多远？
How far is this place?
Using '有' for emphasis.
那儿很远。
That place is very far.
Adverb '很' modifying the adjective '远'.
走多远？
How far to walk?
Verb '走' followed by the degree question.
不太远。
Not too far.
Common short response.
你家离学校多远？
How far is your house from the school?
A 离 B 多远 pattern.
这里离银行有多远？
How far is it from here to the bank?
Standard A2 query.
从这儿到公园有多远？
How far is it from here to the park?
从... 到... pattern.
还要走多远？
How much further do we have to walk?
Use of '还要' for remaining distance.
他家离这儿不远。
His house is not far from here.
Statement of distance using '离'.
开车要开多远？
How far do we need to drive?
Asking about driving distance.
你看，那座山有多远？
Look, how far is that mountain?
Asking about visual distance.
大概有三公里多远。
It's about three kilometers away.
Providing an approximate answer.
我不知道北京离这儿有多远。
I don't know how far Beijing is from here.
Indirect question object.
无论多远，我都会去接你。
No matter how far it is, I will go to pick you up.
Conjunction '无论' with '多远'.
你能看清多远以外的东西？
How far away can you see things clearly?
Complex visual distance inquiry.
我们离成功还有多远？
How far are we from success?
Metaphorical use of distance.
请告诉我大概有多远。
Please tell me approximately how far it is.
Polite request for information.
这个距离对孩子来说太远了。
This distance is too far for a child.
Using '距离' as a noun for comparison.
他跑了多远，汗水就流了多少。
The further he ran, the more he sweated.
Parallel structure for emphasis.
你最远去过哪里？
Where is the furthest place you have been?
Superlative '最远' related to '多远'.
你能预测这种技术能走多远吗？
Can you predict how far this technology can go?
Abstract usage in professional context.
离我们的目标还有一段路要走，不知道还有多远。
There is still a way to go to our goal; I don't know how much further.
Combining physical metaphor with goals.
这取决于你打算在职业生涯中走多远。
It depends on how far you intend to go in your career.
Conditional phrase with career focus.
科学家们在研究星星离地球有多远。
Scientists are researching how far the stars are from Earth.
Scientific inquiry context.
无论路途多远，信念都会指引我们。
No matter how long the journey, faith will guide us.
Literary/Inspirational usage.
我们需要计算出飞船需要飞多远。
We need to calculate how far the spacecraft needs to fly.
Technical calculation context.
他的影响力已经传到了多远的地方？
How far has his influence reached?
Asking about the reach of influence.
你应该考虑一下，这个谎言能维持多远。
You should consider how far this lie can go.
Metaphorical reach of an action.
我们离达成共识究竟还有多远？
Just how far are we from reaching a consensus?
Rhetorical question in negotiation.
这种改革能走多远，取决于民众的支持程度。
How far this reform can go depends on the level of public support.
Complex conditional in political analysis.
在探索真理的道路上，人类已经走了多远？
On the path of exploring truth, how far has humanity come?
Philosophical inquiry.
无论多远，只要心在一起，就不算远。
No matter the distance, as long as hearts are together, it's not far.
Paradoxical literary expression.
请详细说明该设备能够探测到多远范围内的信号。
Please specify how far a range the device can detect signals within.
Technical specification language.
他在艺术造诣上已经走到了常人难以企及的多远。
He has reached a distance in artistic achievement that is hard for ordinary people to attain.
Highly abstract superlative comparison.
历史告诉我们，人类的贪婪可以延伸到多远。
History tells us how far human greed can extend.
Moralizing historical context.
我们需要评估这项政策在实施过程中能走多远。
We need to evaluate how far this policy can go during implementation.
Administrative/Policy assessment.
在宇宙的宏大尺度下，星系间的距离远得让‘多远’这个词都显得苍白无力。
On the grand scale of the universe, the distance between galaxies is so great that the phrase 'how far' seems pale and weak.
Meta-linguistic commentary on the word's limits.
文学的魅力在于，它能带领读者的思绪飞向多远的时空。
The charm of literature lies in its ability to lead the reader's thoughts into distant times and spaces.
Poetic abstract usage.
他站在权力的巅峰，却发现心与最初的理想已相去多远。
Standing at the pinnacle of power, he discovered how far his heart had strayed from his original ideals.
Tragic metaphorical distance.
且不论这项研究的实际应用，单看它在理论上能推演多远，就足以令人惊叹。
Regardless of the practical application of this research, how far it can be theoretically deduced is enough to be amazing.
Academic theoretical discussion.
我们要反思，在追求效率的过程中，我们离人性的本质还有多远。
We must reflect on how far we are from the essence of humanity in the pursuit of efficiency.
Philosophical/Sociological reflection.
这种情感的羁绊，无论跨越多少光年，无论多远，都永不磨灭。
This emotional bond will never be erased, no matter how many light years it crosses, no matter how far.
Romantic/Sci-fi literary style.
在外交辞令中，‘多远’往往不仅指地理，更指政治立场的鸿沟。
In diplomatic rhetoric, 'how far' often refers not just to geography, but to the chasm of political stances.
Analysis of register and subtext.
他深邃的目光仿佛能穿透迷雾，看到多远以后的未来。
His deep gaze seemed able to pierce the mist and see into the distant future.
Metaphorical vision.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— As far apart as the sky and the earth. Used to describe a huge difference.
他们的想法真是天差地远。
— To go far away. Usually implies escaping to a better place.
他想远走高飞，开始新生活。
— High mountains and long rivers. Refers to a long and arduous journey.
虽然山高水远，但我一定会到。
— The burden is heavy and the road is long. Meaning a long-term difficult task.
我们的改革任重道远。
— Far-sightedness and profound insight.
他的领导充满了远见卓识。
— Climb high to see far. Implies gaining a broader perspective.
我们要登高望远，看清未来。
— A distant source and a long stream. Describes something with a long history.
中国文化源远流长。
— To reject what is near and seek what is far. To do something in an inefficient way.
你这样做是舍近求远。
— To respect someone but keep them at a distance.
对他这种人，我只能敬而远之。
— The whip is not long enough to reach. Meaning it is beyond one's power or influence.
总部对这里的管理有些鞭长莫及。
Idioms & Expressions
— A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
别担心困难，千里之行，始于足下。
Inspirational— Friends coming from afar (is a great joy).
有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？
Formal/Literary— A relative far away is not as good as a neighbor nearby.
邻里关系很重要，毕竟远亲不如近邻。
ProverbSummary
The phrase '多远' is your essential tool for navigating China. Whether you are in a taxi or asking for directions on the street, remember the pattern '这里离...有多远?' (How far is it from here to...?) to get the information you need.
- 多远 (duō yuǎn) means 'how far' and is used to ask about distance between two points.
- It is commonly used with the preposition '离' (lí) in the pattern 'A 离 B 多远?'.
- While primarily for physical distance, it can also be used metaphorically for goals or progress.
- Do not confuse it with '多久' (duō jiǔ), which is used for time duration.
Example
从这里到火车站有多远？
