Definition

1. Noun:
   • Straight-line distance: A direct, straight-line distance between two points, measured without considering obstacles, terrain, or the actual path of roads. It is the shortest possible distance.

Usage

This term is used to describe geographical distance in its most direct, theoretical form. It is often used in contrast to the actual travel distance by road or path. - It is typically used in the structure: "X cách Y ... km đường chim bay" (X is ... km from Y as the crow flies).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Hà Nội cách Hải Phòng khoảng 100 km đường chim bay. (Hanoi is about 100 km from Haiphong as the crow flies.)
  • Khoảng cách đường chim bay giữa hai ngôi làng ngắn hơn nhiều so với đường đi bộ. (The straight-line distance between the two villages is much shorter than the walking path.)

Advanced Usage

• "theo đường chim bay": following a straight line; measured in a straight line.
  • Chúng tôi ước tính di chuyển theo đường chim bay để tiết kiệm thời gian trên bản đồ. (We estimated travel by a straight line to save time on the map.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khoảng cách thẳng (n): straight-line distance. A more literal synonym.
• Đường thẳng (n): straight line. The geometric concept.

Synonyms

• Khoảng cách trực tiếp: Direct distance.
• Khoảng cách theo đường thẳng: Straight-line distance.

Related Idioms

• "Gần nhau trong tầm mắt, xa nhau đường chim bay": An idiom expressing that two places appear close but the direct distance is still significant, or metaphorically, that things seem attainable but are actually far. (Close within sight, far as the crow flies.)

1. As the crow flies