Translation guide
The English word 'far' describes physical distance, extent, degree, and time. Japanese expresses these ideas through adjectives, adverbs, and grammatical patterns. The most common equivalent is 遠い (tooi) for physical distance, but other expressions are needed for different uses.
Describing something that is a long way away in space.
The standard adjective for 'far' in terms of physical distance. Used to describe locations, objects, or places that are distant.
Is the station far from here?
His house is in a faraway place.
The adverbial form of 遠い, meaning 'far away' or 'in the distance'. Often used with verbs of motion or perception.
A more formal or written term meaning 'distant place' or 'far away'. Often used in announcements or formal writing.
Expressing that something goes to a great extent, is much more, or is by a large margin.
An adverb meaning 'far' in the sense of 'much more' or 'by far'. Used in comparisons to emphasize a large difference.
Referring to a point in time that is distant from the present, either in the past or future.
Literally 'far future', used to talk about a time long from now.
Expressing the limit or scope of something, as in 'as far as I know' or 'as far as the eye can see'.
A pattern meaning 'as far as (one knows/sees/etc.)'. Attach to a verb in dictionary form or past tense.
Expressing that something is not at all the case; quite the opposite.
A pattern meaning 'far from ~' or 'not only not ~, but on the contrary'. Used to strongly negate an expectation.
Referring to the period up until the present moment.
English 'far' is used in many idiomatic ways that don't translate directly to 遠い. For comparisons (far better), use ずっと or はるかに. For 'as far as', use 限りでは. For 'so far', use 今のところ. Using 遠い in these cases will sound unnatural.
Both mean 'far' in comparisons, but ずっと is more common in everyday speech, while はるかに is more formal and emphatic. ずっと can also mean 'continuously' or 'all the way', so context is important.
The station is far from here.
I can see mountains far away.
He moved far away.
遠方からお越しいただきありがとうございます。
Thank you for coming from so far away.
This one is far better.
He is far taller than me.
An adverb meaning 'far' or 'by far', often used in more formal or written contexts. Emphasizes a significant gap.
His ability is far superior.
A literary or poetic word meaning 'far', 'distant', or 'much'. Can be used for both physical distance and degree.
an event far in the past
That's a story of the far future.
Literally 'far past', meaning 'long ago' or 'ancient times'.
Far in the past, there was an ocean here.
A common phrase meaning 'still far ahead' or 'a long way off', used for future events.
Completion is still far off.
As far as I know, he is innocent.
As far as the eye could see, it was all snow.
The particle まで can mean 'as far as' in a physical sense, indicating a destination or limit.
How far are you going?
As far as we've come, it's okay.
Far from apologizing, he got angry instead.
Far from being cool, it's unbearably hot.
Literally 'far from ~', meaning 'nowhere near' or 'a far cry from'. Used to say something falls short of a standard.
His skill is far from professional.
A common phrase meaning 'so far' or 'up to now', often used when the situation may change.
So far there are no problems.
Means 'so far' or 'until now', often used in more formal contexts or when summarizing.
I will explain the circumstances so far.
This is far better than that.
As far as I can see, it's fine.