distance

IPA/ˈdɪstəns/
KK[dˈɪstəns]IPA/ˈdɪstəns/

distance — 名詞

  • distancesingular
  • distancesplural

1. the length separating one place or object from another; how far it is from one p

1.名詞A2
釋義

距離;間距

兩地或兩物之間相隔的長度

the length separating one place or object from another; how far it is from one point to another

例句

The distance between Tariq's house and the nearest shop is about two kilometres.

Tariq 家跟最近的商店之間距離大約兩公里。

distance between [place] and [place]

Mei used a ruler to measure the distance from her desk to the window.

Mei 用尺量了從她書桌到窗戶的距離。

measure the distance from [place] to [place]

常見搭配
  • short distance
  • long distance
  • safe distance
  • great distance
  • walking distance
  • distance between
  • distance from
同義詞
  • length

    focuses on the measurement from one end to the other, not necessarily between separate objects

  • gap

    emphasises the empty space or break between two things

  • span

    suggests the full extent from one side to the other, often with the idea of covering or reaching across

反義詞
  • proximity

    the state of being near or close rather than far apart

文法句型

distance + between + noun + and + noun

distance + from + noun + to + noun

用法筆記

Often used with 'between' (the gap linking two items) or 'from...to' (the journey measurement). Can be modified by adjectives like 'short', 'long', 'safe', 'great'.

常見錯誤

The distance of Taipei to Kaohsiung is 300 km.
The distance from Taipei to Kaohsiung is 300 km.
use 'from...to', not 'of...to'.
There is a long distance among the two cities.
There is a long distance between the two cities.
use 'between' for two items, not 'among'.

2. used in the fixed expression 'from a distance' to indicate something happening f

2.名詞B1
釋義

遠方

從遠處觀看的位置

used in the fixed expression 'from a distance' to indicate something happening far away from where you are

例句

Élise admired the waterfall from a distance, not wanting to get wet.

Élise 從遠處欣賞瀑布,不想把自己弄濕。

from a distance

From a distance the old temple looked like a small white box on the hillside.

從遠處看,那座老寺廟就像山坡上的一個白色小盒子。

常見搭配
  • from a distance
  • view from a distance
  • admire from a distance
同義詞
  • afar

    literary or formal; used in 'from afar' instead of 'from a distance'

反義詞
  • close up

    from very near rather than from far away

文法句型

from a distance

用法筆記

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'from a distance'. Unlike sense 1, no specific measurement is given — the focus is on 'not close' rather than 'how far'.

常見錯誤

I saw him from the distance.
I saw him from a distance.
the fixed phrase uses 'a', not 'the'.

3. a spot or location far away from the speaker, especially one that remains in vie

3.名詞B1
釋義

遠處

可看到或聽到的遠方地點

a spot or location far away from the speaker, especially one that remains in view or can still be heard; commonly appears in the phrase 'in the distance'

例句

Rafael could see a tiny figure in the distance walking along the beach.

Rafael 看到遠處有一個人影沿著沙灘走來。

in the distance

The sound of church bells came from the distance, soft and warm.

教堂的鐘聲從遠處傳來,輕柔而溫暖。

from the distance

常見搭配
  • in the distance
  • from the distance
  • into the distance
  • the distance
同義詞
  • horizon

    the specific line where earth and sky meet, narrower in meaning

  • background

    the part of a view that is furthest from the viewer, but not necessarily far away

反義詞
  • foreground

    the part of a view closest to the viewer

文法句型

in the distance

用法筆記

Unlike sense 2 ('from a distance'), which emphasises the source of perception, sense 3 ('in the distance' / 'the distance') locates the point itself far away. 'The distance' here refers to the far-away location, not the measurement of space.

常見錯誤

I saw a house from the distance.' (when meaning a house far away)
I saw a house in the distance.
'in the distance' places the object far away; 'from a distance' describes where you are observing from.

4. behaviour or feelings that show a lack of warmth, friendliness, or closeness bet

4.名詞B2
釋義

疏遠;冷淡

人際關係中缺乏溫暖或親密感

behaviour or feelings that show a lack of warmth, friendliness, or closeness between people; deliberate emotional separation

例句

There was a cold distance between Adisa and his brother after the argument.

Adisa 跟弟弟吵完架後,兩人之間出現了一道冰冷的距離。

distance between [people]

Sana kept her distance from the new team until she felt more comfortable with them.

Sana 對新團隊保持距離,直到她覺得和大家相處比較自在了為止。

keep (one's) distance from

常見搭配
  • cold distance
  • growing distance
  • emotional distance
  • keep distance
  • distance between
同義詞
  • coolness

    less intense than 'distance'; suggests polite but unfriendly behaviour

  • remoteness

    emphasises a detached or unreachable quality in a person's manner

  • aloofness

    suggests conscious choice to stay apart, often with a sense of superiority

反義詞
  • closeness

    emotional intimacy and warmth between people

  • intimacy

    a very close, warm personal relationship

文法句型

distance + between + people

keep + (possessive) + distance + from

用法筆記

Can be modified by adjectives like 'cold', 'growing', 'emotional'. The phrase 'keep one's distance' is a common fixed expression meaning 'avoid getting too close emotionally'.

常見錯誤

There is distance among them.
There is distance between them.
use 'between' even for more than two people when the relationship is mutual.

5. a period of time that separates two events; the interval between one moment and

5.名詞B2
釋義

間隔;時距

兩個事件之間相隔的一段時間

a period of time that separates two events; the interval between one moment and another, especially when considering how far apart they feel

例句

There is a distance of about three months between the two music festivals.

兩個音樂節之間間隔大約三個月。

distance of [time period] between

With time and distance from the exam results, Christopher saw his worry had been unnecessary.

考完試過了一段時間後,Christopher 覺得自己的擔心是多餘的。

with some distance from [event]

常見搭配
  • distance of time
  • with distance
  • at a distance of
  • time distance
同義詞
  • interval

    more neutral and precise; the standard word for a time gap in schedules

  • gap

    suggests a noticeable break or missing period between events

  • span

    focuses on the length of time from start to end rather than the separation

反義詞
  • immediacy

    the quality of being current or happening without delay

文法句型

distance + of + time period

at a distance of + time

用法筆記

Often used with the idea of 'perspective' — the passage of time allows clearer thinking. Frequently appears in the phrase 'with the distance of time' or 'at a distance of [years]'.

常見錯誤

The distance among the two events is three years.
The distance between the two events is three years.
use 'between', not 'among'.

6. a notable separation or absence of a link between two items that might be expect

6.名詞C1
釋義

差距;分歧

事物之間的顯著差異或缺乏關聯

a notable separation or absence of a link between two items that might be expected to connect

例句

There is a huge distance between what the government promises and what it actually delivers.

政府的承諾跟實際做到的之間存在巨大差距。

distance between [idea] and [idea]

The distance between their political views made friendly conversation nearly impossible.

他們之間政治觀點的差異使得友好交談幾乎不可能。

常見搭配
  • distance between
  • growing distance
  • huge distance
  • distance in
同義詞
  • gap

    more common in everyday speech for differences between things

  • disparity

    stronger and more formal; often implies unfairness or inequality

  • divide

    emphasises a separation that is difficult to cross, common in political contexts

文法句型

distance + between + noun + and + noun

用法筆記

More abstract than sense 1 (physical space). Common in formal writing about social, political, or conceptual differences. Often interchangeable with 'gap' or 'disparity' in these contexts.

常見錯誤

The distance of their opinions is wide.
The distance between their opinions is wide.
the comparison requires 'between'.
慣用語

to complete something difficult that requires a lot of effort; to continue until the end of a competition or task

堅持到底;完成全程

Tariq was not sure he could go the distance in the marathon, but he crossed the finish line at last.

The project was harder than expected, but the team decided to go the distance and finish it.

to avoid becoming too friendly or emotionally close with someone; to maintain a deliberate separation

保持距離;疏遠

Christopher kept his new colleague at a distance until he learned to trust her.

Some wild animals keep humans at a distance and will run away if you come too near.

very close to achieving or reaching something; near enough to be reached with effort

即將達成;觸手可及

After six months of training, Élise was within striking distance of her first black belt.

The company is within striking distance of its sales target for the year.

extremely close; very near to a place or thing

近在咫尺;非常接近

Our hotel was within spitting distance of the beach, so we could hear the waves at night.

The library is within spitting distance of the school, making it easy for students to visit.

From a place or time that is not near; from far away.

從遠處

Mia watched the fireworks from a distance.

Can you see the mountain from a distance?

To continue playing in a competition or sports contest until the end.

堅持到底

The boxer trained hard to go the distance.

Did the marathon runner go the full distance?

Far away but still able to be seen or heard.

在遠方

Aiden saw a ship in the distance.

Sara stared into the distance, thinking.

To refuse to be friendly with somebody; to not let somebody be friendly towards you.

與某人保持距離

The new manager keeps everyone at a distance.

Why does she keep her coworkers at a distance?

distance — 動詞

distance — 形容詞

同根字

常見搭配

常用片語

  • from a distance
  • in the distance
  • at a distance
  • over a distance
  • within walking distance

介系詞搭配