远近 literally combines 'far' (远) and 'near' (近) to form a compound noun meaning 'distance'—specifically the spatial relationship between nearness and farness. It refers to how close or far something is, often used abstractly to indicate relative proximity without specifying exact measurements. Unlike standalone 远 or 近, 远近 functions as a unified concept, emphasizing the spectrum or range of distance itself.

This word appears frequently in contexts involving travel, geography, perception, and evaluation—for example, when judging how accessible a place is, assessing visibility, or describing how easily something can be reached. It’s commonly used after measure words like '这' (this), '那' (that), or '一' (a), and often paired with verbs like '看' (to see), '分不清' (can’t distinguish), or '有关系' (matters). It carries a neutral, descriptive tone and is standard in both spoken and written Mandarin.