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.
He grew up in a remote village.
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.
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.
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.
Remote work is increasing.
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'.
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.
Short for リモートコントロール (remote control). The standard everyday word for a TV remote.
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.
I built a cabin deep in the remote mountains.
Medical services in remote areas are being expanded.
In the remote past, there was a forest here.
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.
Memories of the remote past came back to me.
I join a remote meeting.
Used in technical or formal contexts for remote operation, remote control, remote monitoring. Often part of compound nouns.
Operate the robot by remote control.
We introduced a remote monitoring system.
There is only a remote possibility of success.
Literally 'one in ten thousand possibility', meaning an extremely remote chance. Used for unlikely but serious events.
Prepare for even the remotest possibility.
An adjective meaning 'distant', 'cold', or 'standoffish' in attitude. Describes behavior that keeps others at arm's length.
He has been acting remote lately.
Means 'curt', 'brusque', or 'distant'. Implies a lack of warmth or friendliness in a brief interaction.
Her reply was remote.
Please pass me the remote.
The remote's batteries died.