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不远千里而来

不遠千里而來
bùyuǎnqiānlǐérlái
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 not counting a thousand li too far, he has come
  2. 2 (fig.) come from afar without minding the distance, for an important purpose
  3. 3 (lit.) not-distant thousand-li and come

Examples

老师傅不远千里而来为学生现场指导，令人感动。
Lǎo shīfu bù yuǎn qiān lǐ ér lái wèi xuéshēng xiànchǎng zhǐdǎo, lìng rén gǎndòng.
The old master 'came without counting a thousand li' to coach the students in person — it was moving.
各国专家不远千里而来参加这次学术会议。
Gè guó zhuānjiā bù yuǎn qiān lǐ ér lái cānjiā zhè cì xuéshù huìyì.
Experts from many countries 'came from far without minding the distance' to attend this academic conference.

Tips

history
From the opening of 《孟子·梁惠王上》(Mencius, King Hui of Liang, 4th c. BCE): 孟子见梁惠王。王曰：'叟不远千里而来，亦将有以利吾国乎？' (Mencius went to see King Hui of Liang. The king said, 'Old sir, you have not counted a thousand li too far to come — surely you bring profit for my state?'). Mencius's retort (何必曰利？亦有仁义而已矣 'Why must you speak of profit? There is benevolence and righteousness — nothing more') becomes the founding moment of Mencian political philosophy.
usage
Pattern: X 不远千里而来 = X came from far at great effort. The phrase functions almost as a set idiom in modern Chinese — used for welcoming overseas visitors, returning alumni, or any traveler whose arrival honors the host.

Stroke Order

不 bù
远 yuǎn
千 qiān
里 lǐ
而 ér
来 lái