Translation guide
The English word "remote" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: describing distant places, operating devices from a distance, a slight possibility, and aloof behavior. It also notes the noun form for a TV remote control.
Describing a place that is far away from towns, cities, or other people; isolated.
An adjective meaning 'remote' in the sense of being inconveniently far from urban centers, often with a nuance of being out-of-the-way or hard to reach. Commonly used for villages, islands, or rural areas.
彼は辺鄙な村で育った。
He grew up in a remote village.
その島はとても辺鄙な場所にある。
The island is in a very remote location.
A phrase meaning 'remote' or 'secluded', literally 'far from human habitation'. Emphasizes isolation from people. Often used for natural settings like mountains or deep forests.
人里離れた山奥に小屋を建てた。
I built a cabin deep in the remote mountains.
A formal, somewhat technical term meaning 'remote' or 'distant'. Often used in compounds like 遠隔地 (remote area) or in contexts like remote control/operation. Less common in everyday conversation.
遠隔地での医療サービスが拡充されている。
Medical services in remote areas are being expanded.
Referring to something that happened a long time ago or will happen far in the future.
The most common word for 'distant' or 'far' in both space and time. Can be used for remote past or future.
Describing a device or system that can be controlled from far away, without physical contact.
The direct loanword from English, commonly used in modern contexts like remote work, remote control, remote access. Very natural in IT and business settings.
リモートワークが増えている。
Remote work is increasing.
リモート会議に参加する。
I join a remote meeting.
Indicating that something is unlikely or a very small chance.
A common phrase meaning 'remote possibility' or 'slim chance'. わずか means 'slight' or 'little'.
成功する可能性はわずかだ。
There is only a remote possibility of success.
Describing a person who seems unfriendly, cold, or not interested in others.
The device used to control a television or other electronic equipment from a distance.
While リモート is used for remote work/access, the physical device is always called リモコン. Saying リモート for the TV remote sounds unnatural.
辺鄙な emphasizes inconvenience and lack of urban development (e.g., a remote village with no train station). 人里離れた emphasizes isolation from people (e.g., a remote cabin in the woods). Choose based on what aspect of 'remote' you want to highlight.
遠い昔、ここには森があった。
In the remote past, there was a forest here.
それは遠い未来の話だ。
That's a story of the remote future.
A more literary or poetic word for 'far-off' or 'distant', often used for time or space. Conveys a sense of vast distance.
遥かな昔の記憶がよみがえった。
Memories of the remote past came back to me.
Used in technical or formal contexts for remote operation, remote control, remote monitoring. Often part of compound nouns.
遠隔操作でロボットを動かす。
Operate the robot by remote control.
遠隔監視システムを導入した。
We introduced a remote monitoring system.
Literally 'one in ten thousand possibility', meaning an extremely remote chance. Used for unlikely but serious events.
万が一の可能性も考えて準備する。
Prepare for even the remotest possibility.
An adjective meaning 'distant', 'cold', or 'standoffish' in attitude. Describes behavior that keeps others at arm's length.
彼は最近よそよそしい態度をとる。
He has been acting remote lately.
Means 'curt', 'brusque', or 'distant'. Implies a lack of warmth or friendliness in a brief interaction.
彼女の返事はそっけなかった。
Her reply was remote.
Short for リモートコントロール (remote control). The standard everyday word for a TV remote.
リモコンを取ってください。
Please pass me the remote.
リモコンの電池が切れた。
The remote's batteries died.