A long-distance relationship (LDR) is typically an intimate relationship that takes place when the partners are separated by a considerable distance.

Long-distance relationship(LDR)指雙方相隔距離遙遠，但卻保有親密關系的狀況，也就是我們所說的“異地戀”或“遠程戀愛”。

Before the popularity of internet dating, long-distance relationships were not as common, as the primary forms of communication between the romance lovers usually involved either telephone conversations or corresponding via mail. However, with the advent of the Internet, long-distance relationships have exploded in popularity as they become less challenging to sustain with the use of modern technology. Technologies including cell phones, e-mail, online chatting and video conferencing have made it possible to keep in touch.

在網戀盛行之前，異地戀還不是很普遍，因為那時候戀愛雙方的溝通交流方式僅限于電話或寫信。不過，隨著網絡的普及，異地戀忽然遍地開花。因為現代技術使遠程感情的維系變得不再那么困難。手機、電子郵件、在線聊天以及視頻聊天等通訊技術可以讓雙方隨時保持聯系。