Translation guide
Describes something distant in space or time, often with a sense of remoteness or vagueness.
Describing a place or location that is far away, remote, or hard to reach.
The most common and neutral adjective for 'far' or 'distant' in space.
あの山はとても遠い。
That mountain is very far-off.
Literary or poetic adjective emphasizing great distance, often used in written or formal contexts.
遥かな国への旅
A journey to a far-off land
Noun-modifying form meaning 'distant' or 'faraway', often used before a noun.
遠くの星が見える。
I can see far-off stars.
Referring to a time that is far in the past or future, often with a nostalgic or vague sense.
Also used for temporal distance, meaning 'far-off' in time, like distant past or future.
Emphasizes a very distant past, often used in storytelling or formal writing.
遥か昔、この地には龍が住んでいた。
In the far-off past, dragons lived in this land.
Describing something that feels emotionally or mentally distant, like a far-off look or memory.
Describes a far-off look in someone's eyes, as if gazing into the distance.
彼は遠くを見るような目をしていた。
He had a far-off look in his eyes.
Means 'vague' or 'hazy', often used for distant memories or expressions.
ぼんやりとした記憶
A far-off memory
遠い (とおい) is the everyday word for 'far' in both space and time. 遥かな (はるかな) is more literary and emphasizes a vast, almost romantic distance. Use 遥かな in writing or poetic descriptions, but 遠い in normal conversation.