Chinese Character: 距
1. Character Basics
Radical: 足/zú (foot radical, related to feet or distance)
Stroke Count: 11
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jù (fourth tone)
3. Meaning
distance, interval, span, keep away from, be apart from, range
4. Common Words
- 距离 (jùlí) - distance
- 差距 (chājù) - gap, difference
- 间距 (jiānjù) - spacing, interval
- 相距 (xiāngjù) - be apart from, be separated by
- 焦距 (jiāojù) - focal length
- 行距 (hángjù) - line spacing, interline space
5. Grammar & Usage
As a noun (distance):
- 常与数词和量词搭配：三公里的距离 (three kilometers' distance), 两米间距 (two meters spacing)
- 可作主语、宾语或定语：距离很远 (the distance is far), 测量距离 (measure the distance), 距离问题 (distance issue)
As a verb (keep away from):
- 后面接名词，表示远离：距污染源 (keep away from pollution sources)
- 常用于正式场合和书面语
Common structures:
- 相距 + 数词 + 量词：两地相距一百公里 (the two places are 100 kilometers apart)
- 距 + 地点 + 数词 + 量词：距市中心五公里 (five kilometers from the city center)
6. Cultural Background
在中国文化中，"距"字不仅表示物理距离，还蕴含着丰富的文化意义：
- 哲学观念：中国传统哲学中讲究"中庸之道"，强调保持适当的距离和分寸
- 人际关系：中国人重视人际交往中的"距离感"，认为适当的距离有助于维持和谐关系
- 建筑文化：中国传统建筑中讲究空间布局和距离安排，体现了对"距"的美学追求
- 语言表达：有许多包含"距"的成语和俗语，如"咫尺天涯"、"远距遥控"等
7. Example Sentence
中文：学校距我家大约两公里，我每天骑自行车去上学。
Pinyin：Xuéxiào jù wǒ jiā dàyuē liǎng gōnglǐ, wǒ měitiān qí zìxíngchē qù shàngxué.
Translation：The school is about two kilometers from my home, and I ride a bicycle to school every day.
8. Memory Tips
Character Structure Breakdown: 距 is composed of 足 (foot radical) on the left and 巨 (jù, meaning "huge" or "enormous") on the right.
Mnemonic Device: The 足 (foot radical) relates to walking and movement, while 巨 suggests "large". Together, 距 can be thought of as "the large space you walk through" or "a big step between two points".
Visual Association: Imagine measuring a large distance (巨) with your foot (足) to help remember the meaning of 距.
Related Words: Connect the character to common words like 距离 (distance) and 差距 (gap) to reinforce your memory.