Preposition 离 (lí) – Indicating Distance in Space and Time

Pattern

• Place + 离 + Place + Adjective
• A + 离 + B + 有 + Number + Measure word

Usage

• The preposition 离 (lí) expresses distance (spatial or temporal) separating point A and point B.
• The standard pattern is: A + 离 + B + 近/远 (near/far) or a specific numerical measurement.
• It is widely used in HSK 2 when describing locations, travel distances, and schedules.
• For example: 我家离学校很近 ('My home is very close to the school').
• A crucial grammatical distinction: 离 CANNOT be paired directly with dynamic verbs of movement to indicate starting points.

Examples

1. 1

   我家离学校很近。

   Wǒ jiā lí xuéxiào hěn jìn.

   My home is very close to the school.

2. 2

   银行离这儿不远。

   Yínháng lí zhèr bù yuǎn.

   The bank is not far from here.

3. 3

   我家离公司有十公里。

   Wǒ jiā lí gōngsī yǒu shí gōnglǐ.

   My home is ten kilometers away from the company.

4. 4

   离上课还有十分钟。