遥控 (yáo kòng) literally means 'distant control' — 遥 (yáo) means 'distant' or 'far away', and 控 (kòng) means 'to control' or 'to manage'. Together, they refer to the device or method used to operate electronic equipment — such as televisions, air conditioners, or toys — from a distance without physical contact. It functions as a noun in Chinese, most commonly referring to the physical handheld remote control unit.

This word is widely used in everyday life, especially with home electronics and smart devices. While 遥控 can occasionally appear as a verb (e.g., 遥控电视), it’s far more frequent and natural as a noun meaning 'remote control'. In modern usage, it may also refer to remote operation in broader contexts — like drones or industrial machinery — though those are usually specified further (e.g., 遥控飞机 for 'remote-controlled airplane').