Used with comparisons or degree expressions to emphasize a large difference or extent.
This problem is far more difficult.
Describes physical or metaphorical distance; often used with verbs like 見える or 聞こえる.
long ago; long before
Refers to a distant past; often used in literary or narrative contexts.
His grades are far above the others in the class.
Mt. Fuji is visible far in the distance.
I could hear the sound of a steam whistle far off.
Long ago, there was a large lake in this area.
The legend dates back to a time long before.
遥かに and 断然 both mean 'by far' in comparisons, but 遥かに focuses on the degree of difference while 断然 emphasizes the clarity of superiority.
Kanji spelling; the character 遥 is a jōyō kanji but the kana form is more frequent.
Old kanji form using 遙 instead of 遥; rarely seen in modern writing.
Derived from the adjective 遥か (はるか, 'distant') with the adverbial suffix に. The root はるか is of native Japanese origin, with uncertain further derivation.