Definition
敬而远之 is a set phrase (成语) meaning to keep a respectful distance — you stay polite but avoid involvement with someone or something you disagree with or find unpleasant. Literally 'respect and keep away from,' it combines 敬 (respect), 而 (and), 远 (keep away), and 之 (him/it).
phrase
to keep a respectful distanceto stay away while remaining polite (idiom)
Examples
- 敬而远之。Tā duì nàxiē ài bānnòng shìfēi de tóngshì zǒngshì jìng ér yuǎn zhī.He always keeps a respectful distance from those colleagues who like to gossip.
- ，敬而远之。Zhè zhǒng huàtí tài mǐngǎn, dàjiā zuìhǎo jìng ér yuǎn zhī.This kind of topic is too sensitive; everyone had better keep a respectful distance.
- ，敬而远之。Suīrán wǒ bù tóngyì tā de zuòfǎ, dàn yě zhǐ néng jìng ér yuǎn zhī.Although I don't agree with his approach, I can only keep a respectful distance.
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