不远千里

不遠千里

bùyuǎn-qiānlǐ

idiom #48,489

Meanings

1 to think nothing of a thousand-li journey
2 to come from afar without regard for distance
3 to make a long trip gladly

Characters

to consider far (verb here)

li (Chinese mile)

Examples

许多粉丝不远千里赶来听他的演唱会。

Xǔduō fěnsī bùyuǎnqiānlǐ gǎnlái tīng tā de yǎnchànghuì.

Many fans traveled from afar to attend his concert.

他不远千里来求学，精神可嘉。

Tā bùyuǎnqiānlǐ lái qiúxué, jīngshén kějiā.

He came from a great distance to pursue his studies — an admirable spirit.

外国专家不远千里前来指导我们的项目。

Wàiguó zhuānjiā bùyuǎnqiānlǐ qiánlái zhǐdǎo wǒmen de xiàngmù.

Foreign experts traveled thousands of miles to advise on our project.

Tips

history

From 《孟子·梁惠王上》: King Hui of Liang greets Mencius with "叟，不远千里而来，亦将有以利吾国乎？" — Elder, you have come without counting a thousand li as far; will you bring profit to my state? Mencius famously answers that a king should speak of 仁义 (benevolence and righteousness), not profit.

register

Slightly literary and respectful — implies the visitor is making an effort worth acknowledging. 远 here is a verb: "to consider far." Not "didn't travel a thousand li" — the opposite.

Stroke Order

不 bù

远 yuǎn

千 qiān

里 lǐ