====== mùguāng duǎnqiǎn: 目光短浅 - Nearsighted, Shortsighted, Lacking Foresight ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** muguang duanqian, mùguāng duǎnqiǎn, 目光短浅, Chinese for shortsighted, Chinese idiom for lacking foresight, nearsighted in Chinese, Chinese business culture, strategic thinking Chinese, duanqian meaning
  * **Summary:** The Chinese idiom **目光短浅 (mùguāng duǎnqiǎn)** literally translates to "eyesight short and shallow," but is used figuratively to describe someone or something as **shortsighted** or **lacking foresight**. This powerful and common phrase criticizes a focus on immediate, short-term gains while ignoring long-term consequences. Understanding `mùguāng duǎnqiǎn` is key to grasping Chinese cultural values that emphasize long-term planning and strategic thinking in business, politics, and personal life.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** mùguāng duǎnqiǎn
  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Idiom (Chengyu)
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5/6 Level (Common Idiom)
  * **Concise Definition:** To be shortsighted; to lack foresight and only see immediate benefits or problems.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a person who can only see what's directly in front of them, unable to perceive the distant horizon. That's the core of `目光短浅`. It's a critical term used to describe a decision, a plan, or a person who is intellectually "nearsighted." They might choose a small, quick profit today over a much larger, more sustainable success in the future. It's a critique of a flawed perspective and poor strategic thinking.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **目 (mù):** Eye. This character is a pictogram of an eye, turned on its side.
  * **光 (guāng):** Light, ray, or vision. When combined with `目`, `目光` means "gaze," "sight," or "vision."
  * **短 (duǎn):** Short, brief.
  * **浅 (qiǎn):** Shallow.
The characters combine to paint a vivid metaphor: **"A gaze that is short and shallow."** This imagery perfectly captures the idea of someone whose metaphorical vision doesn't travel far or deep, limiting their understanding to only what is immediate and superficial.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
`目光短浅` taps into a deep cultural appreciation in China for long-term planning, patience, and strategic foresight. Philosophies like those found in Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" emphasize out-thinking and out-planning an opponent, looking many steps ahead. To be labeled `目光短浅` is a significant criticism, implying a lack of wisdom and strategic depth.
A useful Western comparison is the idiom **"penny-wise and pound-foolish."** Both concepts criticize sacrificing long-term well-being for a small immediate gain. However, `目光短浅` is broader and more profound.
  * **"Penny-wise and pound-foolish"** is most often about financial decisions—saving a small amount of money now that will lead to a larger cost later.
  * **`目光短浅`** is about a fundamental flaw in **perspective**. It can apply to any domain: a company that doesn't invest in research, a government that ignores environmental issues for economic growth, or a person who drops out of school for a dead-end job. It critiques the mindset itself, not just a single poor financial decision.
This reflects a cultural value that true success comes from `深谋远虑 (shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ)` - deep planning and farsighted thought, rather than opportunistic, short-term actions.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
`目光短浅` is a common idiom used in a wide range of contexts, from business meetings to family discussions.
  * **Connotation:** It is almost always **negative and critical**. You would use it to describe a decision you disagree with, not to praise someone.
  * **Formality:** It is a formal idiom (chengyu) but is widely understood and used in both formal writing (news articles, reports) and everyday spoken Chinese. It adds a tone of serious criticism.
==== In Business and Economics ====
It's frequently used to criticize companies or economic policies that prioritize immediate profits over sustainable, long-term growth, innovation, or brand building.
//e.g., "That company only cares about this quarter's sales report; they are truly 目光短浅."//
==== In Personal Advice ====
Parents or elders might use this term to caution a younger person against making an impulsive decision that could jeopardize their future, such as quitting their studies for a temporary job.
//e.g., "Don't be so 目光短浅; finishing your degree will open up many more doors later."//
==== In Social and Political Commentary ====
Pundits and netizens often use `目光短浅` to critique government policies that offer a quick fix but create deeper problems down the line, especially concerning environmental protection, urban planning, or education.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:** 
    * 为了眼前的利益而破坏环境，真是**目光短浅**的行为。
    * Pinyin: Wèile yǎnqián de lìyì ér pòhuài huánjìng, zhēnshi **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn** de xíngwéi.
    * English: To destroy the environment for the sake of immediate benefits is truly a shortsighted action.
    * Analysis: This is a classic example, connecting shortsightedness to environmental issues. Here, `目光短浅` is used as an adjective to modify the noun `行为` (xíngwéi, action).
  * **Example 2:** 
    * 他放弃了上大学的机会去做临时工，他父母觉得他太**目光短浅**了。
    * Pinyin: Tā fàngqìle shàng dàxué de jīhuì qù zuò línshígōng, tā fùmǔ juéde tā tài **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn** le.
    * English: He gave up the opportunity to go to university to be a temporary worker; his parents feel he is too shortsighted.
    * Analysis: This sentence shows the term used in a personal context. It functions as a predicate adjective, directly describing the subject `他` (tā, he).
  * **Example 3:** 
    * 这家公司的管理层**目光短浅**，只注重短期利润，不投资研发。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī de guǎnlǐcéng **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn**, zhǐ zhùzhòng duǎnqī lìrùn, bù tóuzī yánfā.
    * English: The management of this company is shortsighted; they only focus on short-term profits and don't invest in R&D.
    * Analysis: A very common use case in a business context. The idiom succinctly describes the core problem with the management's strategy.
  * **Example 4:** 
    * 从长远来看，这个决定是**目光短浅**的，将来肯定会后悔。
    * Pinyin: Cóng chángyuǎn láikàn, zhège juédìng shì **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn** de, jiānglái kěndìng huì hòuhuǐ.
    * English: From a long-term perspective, this decision is shortsighted, and we will definitely regret it in the future.
    * Analysis: The phrase `从长远来看` (cóng chángyuǎn láikàn, from a long-term perspective) is often paired with `目光短浅` to create a clear contrast.
  * **Example 5:** 
    * 你不能这么**目光短浅**，只想着现在玩得开心，也要为你的未来做打算。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zhème **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn**, zhǐ xiǎngzhe xiànzài wán de kāixīn, yě yào wèi nǐ de wèilái zuò dǎsuàn.
    * English: You can't be so shortsighted, only thinking about having fun now; you also need to plan for your future.
    * Analysis: A great example of giving advice or a light scolding, common in conversations between friends or family.
  * **Example 6:** 
    * 历史证明，那位皇帝的政策**目光短浅**，最终导致了王朝的衰败。
    * Pinyin: Lìshǐ zhèngmíng, nà wèi huángdì de zhèngcè **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn**, zuìzhōng dǎozhìle wángcháo de shuāibài.
    * English: History proves that that emperor's policies were shortsighted, ultimately leading to the decline of the dynasty.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates how the idiom is used in formal, historical analysis.
  * **Example 7:** 
    * 他们为了省钱而购买劣质材料，这种**目光短浅**的做法最终让他们损失了更多。
    * Pinyin: Tāmen wèile shěngqián ér gòumǎi lièzhì cáiliào, zhè zhǒng **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn** de zuòfǎ zuìzhōng ràng tāmen sǔnshīle gèng duō.
    * English: They bought inferior materials to save money; this kind of shortsighted approach ultimately made them lose even more.
    * Analysis: This sentence directly links a shortsighted approach (`做法`, zuòfǎ) to a negative consequence, perfectly illustrating the concept.
  * **Example 8:** 
    * 一个成功的投资者绝不会**目光短浅**。
    * Pinyin: Yīge chénggōng de tóuzīzhě jué bù huì **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn**.
    * English: A successful investor is never shortsighted.
    * Analysis: A simple, powerful statement defining a key quality. The use of `绝不` (jué bù, absolutely not) emphasizes the point.
  * **Example 9:** 
    * 如果我们现在不解决这个问题，后人会批评我们**目光短浅**。
    * Pinyin: Rúguǒ wǒmen xiànzài bù jiějué zhège wèntí, hòurén huì pīpíng wǒmen **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn**.
    * English: If we don't solve this problem now, future generations will criticize us for being shortsighted.
    * Analysis: This shows how the concept is tied to legacy and responsibility towards the future.
  * **Example 10:** 
    * 他**目光短浅**的毛病让他错过了很多好机会。
    * Pinyin: Tā **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn** de máobìng ràng tā cuòguòle hěnduō hǎo jīhuì.
    * English: His flaw of being shortsighted caused him to miss many good opportunities.
    * Analysis: Here, `目光短浅` modifies `毛病` (máobìng, flaw/shortcoming), framing it as a negative character trait.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Don't Use It For Actual Eyesight:** The most common mistake for learners is to confuse `目光短浅` with being medically nearsighted. **It is almost never used to describe poor vision.** For that, you must use the word **`近视 (jìnshì)`**.
    * **Incorrect:** 我没戴眼镜，有点**目光短浅**，看不清楚。 (Wǒ méi dài yǎnjìng, yǒudiǎn **mùguāng duǎnqiǎn**, kàn bù qīngchǔ.)
    * **Correct:** 我没戴眼镜，有点**近视**，看不清楚。 (Wǒ méi dài yǎnjìng, yǒudiǎn **jìnshì**, kàn bù qīngchǔ.) //My translation: I'm not wearing glasses, I'm a bit nearsighted and can't see clearly.//
  * **Stronger than "Shortsighted":** While "shortsighted" is the best English translation, `目光短浅` often carries a heavier, more judgmental weight. It implies not just a simple miscalculation, but a significant failure of intellect, wisdom, or even character.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **Antonyms (Farsighted):**
    * [[高瞻远瞩]] (gāozhānyuǎnzhǔ) - "To stand high and see far." The most direct and elegant antonym, describing a person with great foresight and vision.
    * [[深谋远虑]] (shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ) - "Deep plans and distant thoughts." Refers to the quality of being thoughtful, strategic, and able to plan far into the future.
  * **Synonyms (Also Shortsighted):**
    * [[鼠目寸光]] (shǔmùcùnguāng) - "A rat's eyes see only an inch." A more vivid and slightly more insulting synonym. It paints a picture of someone with an extremely narrow perspective.
    * [[急功近利]] (jígōngjìnlì) - "Anxious for success and near-term benefits." This term focuses more on the *eagerness and action* of chasing quick profits, while `目光短浅` focuses on the underlying *flaw in perspective*.
  * **Related Concepts:**
    * [[近视]] (jìnshì) - The medical term for nearsightedness/myopia. The crucial distinction for learners.
    * [[杀鸡取卵]] (shājīqǔluǎn) - "To kill the chicken to get the eggs." An idiom describing a shortsighted act that destroys a valuable long-term resource for a one-time gain.
    * [[饮鸩止渴]] (yǐnzhènzhǐkě) - "To drink poison to quench thirst." A more extreme idiom for a shortsighted solution that is self-destructive and leads to immediate disaster.