The verb 离

In Chinese “离” (lí) expresses the distance between places, or the interval to a point in time.

It states how far one place is from another, or how long is left until something.

Basic structure

A + 离 + B + ...

Meaning: A is … from B or there is … left until A

Examples

咖(Kā)啡(fēi)店(diàn)离(lí)这儿(zhèr)有(yǒu)点儿(diǎnr)远(yuǎn)。

The coffee shop is a bit far from here.

咖啡店 + 离 + 这儿 + 有点儿远 the coffee shop + from + here + a bit far

咖(kā)啡(fēi)店(diàn)coffee shop

离(lí)from

这儿(zhèr)here

有(yǒu)点儿(diǎnr)远(yuǎn)a bit far

学(Xué)校(xiào)离(lí)医(yī)院(yuàn)不(bù)远(yuǎn)。

The school isn't far from the hospital.

学校 + 离 + 医院 + 不远 the school + from + the hospital + not far

学(xué)校(xiào)school

医(yī)院(yuàn)hospital

不(bù)远(yuǎn)not far

现(Xiàn)在(zài)离(lí)我(wǒ)的(de)生(shēng)日(rì)还(hái)有(yǒu)三(sān)天(tiān)。

There are still three days until my birthday.

现在 + 离 + 我的生日 + 还有三天 now + until + my birthday + still three days

现(xiàn)在(zài)now

我(wǒ)的(de)生(shēng)日(rì)my birthday

还(hái)有(yǒu)三(sān)天(tiān)there are still three days

Here 离 marks an interval of time, not a distance between places.

Quick rule

A + 离 + B + distance / time

Meaning: it states the distance or the interval between A and B.

咖啡店离这儿有点儿远。— The coffee shop is a bit far from here. 学校离医院不远。— The school isn't far from the hospital. 现在离我的生日还有三天。— There are still three days until my birthday.