遥(はる)か

はるか
adverb, na-adjective
far, distant; by far
literarysizedescriptive
1. far away, distant, remote
Describes something that is physically or temporally very far away. Often evokes a poetic or wistful tone.
遥(はる)か遠(とお)くに山(やま)が見(み)える。
Mountains are visible far in the distance.
遥(はる)か昔(むかし)のことだ。
That was a long, long time ago.
空港(くうこう)から遥(はる)かに続(つづ)く砂漠(さばく)を眺(なが)めた。
I gazed at the desert stretching far beyond the airport.
2. by far, far more, much
Used to emphasize a large difference in degree when making comparisons.
こっちの方(ほう)が遥(はる)かにいい。
This one is far better.
実際(じっさい)は予想(よそう)より遥(はる)かに難(むずか)しかった。
In reality, it was far more difficult than expected.
この店(みせ)の料理(りょうり)は、あの店(みせ)より遥(はる)かにおいしい。
The food at this restaurant is far better than at that one.

遥(はる)か can function as both an adverb and a na-adjective.

Common patterns

  • 遥(はる)か遠(とお)く: far in the distance
  • 遥(はる)か昔(むかし): a long time ago
  • 遥(はる)かに + comparative: far more ~, by far ~
  • 遥(はる)かな + noun: distant ~, far-off ~

Usage: When modifying a noun directly, use the na-adjective form (遥(はる)かな). When modifying a verb or adjective, use the adverbial form (遥(はる)かに). The word often carries a literary or poetic nuance, evoking a sense of longing or vastness.

Related Words

Related: 遥々(はるばる) (from far away)
Compare: はるかに (by far)
general
Added 2026.2.7 19:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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