far east
C1Formal, Geographical, Historical, Journalistic, Business
Definition
Meaning
A collective term for the countries and regions of East and Southeast Asia, such as China, Japan, Korea, and often including Southeast Asian nations.
The term can refer broadly to the geographical, cultural, economic, or geopolitical sphere of Eastern Asia, distinct from the 'Near East' or 'Middle East'. In modern contexts, it can sometimes be considered dated, with 'East Asia' and 'Southeast Asia' preferred for specificity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While widely understood, the term 'Far East' is eurocentric, originating from a European perspective of distance. In contemporary academic and diplomatic writing, more specific regional terms (East Asia, Southeast Asia) or the names of individual countries are often preferred. It remains common in historical contexts, business, and some set phrases.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The term is slightly more entrenched in British historical and institutional contexts (e.g., 'the British in the Far East'). American usage may show a slightly faster shift towards 'East Asia' in academic writing.
Connotations
In both variants, it can carry connotations of historical distance, exoticism, or established trade/colonial history. The potential outdatedness of the term is recognized similarly.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech; encountered mainly in news, history, geography, and business reports. Frequency is comparable between UK and US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[preposition] + the Far East (in, to, from, of)adjective + Far East (ancient, modern, emerging)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From the Far East to the Wild West (contrasting extremes)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to markets, supply chains, investments, and economic partnerships in East and Southeast Asia. (e.g., 'Our company is expanding its Far East operations.')
Academic
Used in historical, geographical, or cultural studies, often with a note on its eurocentric origin. Modern papers may use more precise terms.
Everyday
Used in general discussion about travel, culture, or news from Asia, though less common than specific country names.
Technical
Not typically a technical term. Used in geopolitics, some historical analyses, and certain business reports.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- Far Eastern art
- Far Eastern trade policy
American English
- Far Eastern markets
- Far Eastern studies
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My uncle has been to the Far East.
- Tea comes from the Far East.
- They import silk from the Far East.
- The documentary was about animals in the Far East.
- The company is seeking new investment opportunities in the Far East.
- Historically, spices from the Far East were highly valued in Europe.
- The geopolitical dynamics of the Far East are increasingly central to global economics.
- Scholars debate the continued utility of the eurocentric term 'Far East' in modern discourse.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a very FAR journey to the EAST from Europe, past the Middle East, all the way to China and Japan.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTANCE IS OTHERWISE (Far = culturally distant, exotic, unknown from a Western perspective).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'Дальний Восток' (Russian Far East). The English term does not refer to Russia's eastern territories.
- Avoid direct calques like 'Далекий Восток'. It is a fixed term: 'the Far East'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'Far East' to refer to India or the Middle East (incorrect).
- Capitalising incorrectly (should be capitalised as it is a proper noun: 'Far East').
- Omitting the definite article 'the' (*'He traveled to Far East').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following countries is most accurately described as part of the 'Far East'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not offensive, but it is considered somewhat dated and eurocentric. In precise writing, 'East Asia', 'Southeast Asia', or the specific country name is often preferred.
The 'Middle East' generally refers to Western Asia and Egypt (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel). The 'Far East' refers to countries in Eastern and Southeastern Asia (e.g., China, Japan, Thailand).
Yes, when used as a noun phrase, it almost always requires the definite article: 'in the Far East', 'to the Far East'. The adjectival form 'Far Eastern' does not take 'the'.
No. India and Pakistan are typically considered part of South Asia. The 'Far East' traditionally refers to regions east of South Asia.