远在 (yuǎn zài) — to be far away (in space) in a distant place; as early as; as far back as (in time)

Definition

A formal phrase meaning 'to be located far away (in space)' or 'as far back as (in time)' — literary, not everyday speech. Common in writing; less natural in casual conversation.

verb
to be far away (in space) in a distant placeas early asas far back as (in time)

Examples

  • 远在，。
    Tā de jiā xiāng yuǎn zài nán fāng de shān qū, jiāo tōng hěn bù fāng biàn.
    His hometown is far away in the southern mountains, and transportation is very inconvenient.
  • 远在，。
    yuǎn zài Gǔ dài, rén men jiù yǐ jīng dǒng de yòng huǒ qǔ nuǎn.
    As early as ancient times, people already knew how to use fire for warmth.
  • ，远在。
    Zhè ge wèn tí kàn sì jiǎn dān, dàn yuán yīn yuǎn zài wǒ men wú fǎ kàn dào de dì fāng.
    This problem seems simple, but the cause lies far beyond what we can see.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

远yuǎnfar
在zàibe located

远在 combines 远 “far” with 在 “be located”, giving far away in place or time.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
元
元yuán远yuǎn
Same sound today

远 combines 辶, meaning walk, with 元, used for its sound.

Open 远 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Open 在 →

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