远
yuǎn · HSK 1
far
🛣️ 远 = 辶 (walk) + 元 (yuán, phonetic) — a long walk away
The 辶 radical means motion or travel on foot, and 元 lends the yuán sound (shifted to yuǎn). Together they mark a distance covered by walking — far off, remote. Used for physical distance and figurative remoteness alike.
远 — 辶 (walk) + 袁 (phonetic)
远 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The 辶 radical (a walking/movement element) carries the meaning of going or distance, while 袁 (yuán) provides the sound. The traditional form 遠 shows this structure clearly; together they convey 'far' — a place reached by long travel.
yuǎn · HSK 2
far
🏔️ 元 (yuán) gives the sound; 辶 (walk radical) adds the meaning of distance
远 is a phono-semantic compound: 辶 (the walking/road radical) signals motion or distance, while 元 supplies the yuán sound, shifted slightly to yuǎn. Same 元 sound appears in 园 (garden) and 院 (courtyard).
远 — 辶 (walk) + 袁 (phonetic)
远 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The 辶 radical (a walking/movement element) carries the meaning of going or distance, while 袁 (yuán) provides the sound. The traditional form 遠 shows this structure clearly; together they convey 'far' — a place reached by long travel.