Translation guide
Expresses that something is located or happening far away, but still visible or audible. Japanese uses several adverbial phrases and nouns, with the most common being 遠くに (tōku ni).
I heard thunder in the distance.
Slightly more specific, emphasizing the direction or area. 'Over in the distance'.
遠くの方に小さな家があった。
There was a small house in the distance.
Literary or poetic word for 'far away', 'beyond'. Used in written language or formal speech.
彼方に夕日が沈む。
The sun sets in the distance.
To describe something moving away and becoming a distant figure or sound.
Used with motion verbs to indicate movement to a distant place. 'Off into the distance'.
彼は遠くへ歩いていった。
He walked off into the distance.
鳥が遠くへ飛んでいく。
The birds are flying off into the distance.
Similar to 遠くへ but with a directional nuance. 'Toward the distance'.
船が遠くの方へ消えた。
The ship disappeared into the distance.
Using 'distance' as a noun to refer to a faraway place.
遠くに is used for existence or static location (e.g., 'There is a mountain in the distance'). 遠くで is used for actions or events happening at a distant place (e.g., 'Fireworks are going off in the distance').
遠くに灯台がある。
There is a lighthouse in the distance.
遠くでサイレンが鳴っている。
A siren is sounding in the distance.
距離 means 'distance' as a measurable length (e.g., 'the distance between Tokyo and Osaka'). It is not used to mean 'in the distance' as a location. Use 遠く instead.
Fireworks are going off in the distance.