距离感 (jù lí gǎn) — sense of distance (physical or emotional); aloofness

Definition

Refers to a felt sense of distance between people or things — physical, cultural, or emotional. Connotes aloofness or detachment rather than literal measurement, and is common in talk of relationships, art, and cross-cultural comparison.

noun
sense of distance (physical or emotional)aloofness

Examples

  • ,距离感。
    Zhè liǎng gè chéng shì suī rán hěn jìn, dàn wén huà shàng de jù lí gǎn què hěn dà.
    Although these two cities are very close, there is a strong sense of cultural distance.
  • 距离感,。
    Tā zǒng gěi rén hěn qiáng de nà zhǒng jù lí gǎn, hěn nán hé tā jiāo péng you.
    He always gives people a strong sense of distance; it's hard to make friends with him.
  • 距离感。
    Zhè fú huà de gòu tú zhì zào le yì zhǒng wēi miào de jù lí gǎn.
    The composition of this painting creates a subtle sense of distance.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

距离distance
距jùdistance离líseparation
联合Side by side
感gǎnfeeling

距离 names distance and 感 adds the idea of a felt sense, giving a sense of distance.

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
足足zúfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
巨
巨jù距jù
Same sound today

距 puts 足, meaning foot, beside 巨, which gives its sound.

Open 距 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 離; 离 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
隹隹zhuībird
Sound part声符shēngfú
离
离lí離lí
Same sound today

The traditional form 離 pairs 隹, a bird, with the sound part 离; the simplified 离 is a shorthand. This form first wrote a black-naped oriole, and the sound was borrowed for 'leave'.

Open 离 →

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
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
咸
咸xián感gǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

感 pairs 咸, which gives the sound, with 心, the heart, for feeling.

Open 感 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.