遠話（yuǎn huà）

Pronunciation: yuǎn huà

Basic Meaning: To talk about unrelated topics or to digress from the main point.

Detailed Explanation: 遠話 refers to talking about things that are unrelated or far from the main topic of discussion. It implies digressing from the main point and going off on a tangent. It can also mean having a long-winded conversation that lacks focus or coherence.

Usage Scenarios: 遠話 is often used to describe someone who tends to go off topic during a conversation or meeting, causing the discussion to lose focus. It can also be used to criticize someone who talks too much without getting to the point.

Story Origin: The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. It is said that there was a scholar named Ouyang Xiu who was known for his eloquence and knowledge. However, he had a tendency to digress from the main topic when speaking. One day, he was giving a lecture and started talking about unrelated topics, causing the audience to become confused. From then on, people started using the phrase "遠話" to describe digressions and off-topic discussions.

Structure of the Idiom: The idiom "遠話" consists of two characters. "遠" means far or distant, and "話" means words or speech.

Example Sentences:

1. 他總是遠話連篇，很少能把重點講清楚。

Translation: He always talks about unrelated topics and rarely gets to the main point.

2. 這個會議一直在遠話，我們都不知道討論的是什么。

Translation: This meeting has been going off on tangents, and we don't know what we are discussing.

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of "遠話," you can imagine someone speaking and suddenly taking a detour to a faraway place in their conversation. This image can help you associate the idiom with digressions and off-topic discussions.

Extended Learning: To further understand the concept of "遠話," you can explore other related idioms and expressions, such as "離題" (to go off topic) or "岔開話題" (to change the subject).

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

1. Children (6-12 years old): 媽媽，我要告訴你一個很有趣的故事！（Mom, I want to tell you a very interesting story!) - 遠話: 從小貓的生活講到了大象的飲食習慣。（Digression: Talking about the life of a kitten and then discussing the eating habits of elephants.)

2. Teenagers (13-18 years old): 我們在課堂上討論歷史事件，但他一直在遠話，講到了最新的科技發明。（We were discussing historical events in class, but he kept digressing and talked about the latest technological inventions.)

3. Adults (Above 18 years old): 我們開會討論項目進展，但他卻遠話連篇，講到了他的度假經歷。（We were having a meeting to discuss project progress, but he kept going off on tangents and talked about his vacation experiences.)