| 敬而远之 |
jìng ér yuǎn zhī |
to show respect from a distance (idiom) / to remain at a respectful distance |
| 敬 |
jìng |
(bound form) respectful; to respect / to offer politely |
| 而 |
ér |
and / as well as / and so / but (not) / yet (not) / (indicates causal relation) / (indicates change of state) / (indicates contrast) |
| 远 |
yuǎn |
far / distant / remote / (intensifier in a comparison) by far / much (lower etc) |
| 远 |
yuàn |
to distance oneself from (classical) |
| 之 |
zhī |
(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的) / him / her / it |