====== guīhuà: 规划 - To Plan, Planning, Program ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** guihua, 规划, how to say plan in Chinese, Chinese word for planning, urban planning in Chinese, career planning Chinese, long-term plan Chinese, 计划 vs 规划, Chinese five-year plan
  * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese word **规划 (guīhuà)**, a term that goes beyond a simple "plan." **规划 (guīhuà)** refers to a large-scale, long-term, and systematic blueprint, essential for understanding concepts from **urban planning in Chinese** to personal **career planning**. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance (like China's five-year plans), and how it differs from the more common word for "plan," [[计划]] (jìhuà), giving you a deeper insight into the Chinese mindset of strategic, forward-thinking development.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** guīhuà
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** To map out or blueprint a large-scale, long-term project, system, or development.
  * **In a Nutshell:** While you might use [[计划]] (jìhuà) for your weekend plans, **规划 (guīhuà)** is for the big stuff. Think of a city planner laying out a new district, a government creating a five-year economic strategy, or an individual mapping out their entire career path. It implies a comprehensive vision, a structured framework, and a long-term perspective. It’s not just about what to do, but about creating the entire system in which things get done.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **规 (guī):** This character's original meaning is related to a compass or a carpenter's square. It represents rules, regulations, and standards. It's the "order" part of the equation.
  * **划 (huà):** This character means to draw a line, to mark off, or to delimit an area. It's the action of creating boundaries and defining a space.
  * When you combine them, **规划 (guīhuà)** literally means "to draw lines according to rules." This creates a powerful visual of creating a structured, well-defined blueprint for a future project or vision. It's about imposing order and structure onto a complex idea.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **规划 (guīhuà)** is a cornerstone concept in modern China, reflecting a deep-seated cultural and political emphasis on long-term, collective goals. The most famous example is China's **Five-Year Plans (五年规划 - wǔnián guīhuà)**, a series of national-level social and economic development initiatives that have shaped the country for decades. This demonstrates the term's association with top-down, state-led ambition and societal mobilization.
  * **Comparison to Western "Strategic Planning":** In Western business or government, "strategic planning" is a similar concept. However, **规划 (guīhuà)** in a Chinese context often carries a stronger sense of holistic, societal engineering and a longer time horizon. While a Western company's strategic plan might focus on outperforming competitors, a Chinese **规划** (especially from the government) is often framed as a blueprint for national rejuvenation or the harmonious development of society. It reflects a collectivist value where individual components are expected to align with a grand, overarching vision for the greater good.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **规划 (guīhuà)** is a formal and significant word used in specific, high-stakes contexts.
  * **Government, Policy, and Urban Development:** This is its most common habitat.
    * `城市规划 (chéngshì guīhuà)` - Urban planning
    * `国土空间规划 (guótǔ kōngjiān guīhuà)` - National terrestrial spatial planning
    * `交通规划 (jiāotōng guīhuà)` - Transportation planning
  * **Personal Life (Major Decisions):** You wouldn't use it for daily chores, but it's perfect for mapping out your future.
    * `人生规划 (rénshēng guīhuà)` - Life planning (a roadmap for your entire life)
    * `职业规划 (zhíyè guīhuà)` - Career planning (a long-term strategy for your professional life)
  * **Business and Corporate Strategy:**
    * `发展规划 (fāzhǎn guīhuà)` - Development plan
    * `战略规划 (zhànlüè guīhuà)` - Strategic planning
  * **Connotation:** The term is almost always positive or neutral. It implies foresight, ambition, orderliness, and intelligence. A lack of **规划** is seen as shortsighted and chaotic.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 这个城市的**规划**做得很好，交通很方便。
    * Pinyin: Zhège chéngshì de **guīhuà** zuò de hěn hǎo, jiāotōng hěn fāngbiàn.
    * English: This city's planning is very well done; the traffic is very convenient.
    * Analysis: Here, **规划** is a noun referring to the comprehensive "urban planning" or "layout" of the city.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 大学毕业生应该为自己的未来做好职业**规划**。
    * Pinyin: Dàxué bìyèshēng yīnggāi wèi zìjǐ de wèilái zuò hǎo zhíyè **guīhuà**.
    * English: University graduates should do a good job of career planning for their future.
    * Analysis: `职业规划 (zhíyè guīhuà)` is a set phrase for "career planning," seen as a crucial step for young professionals.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 我们需要**规划**一下公司未来五年的发展方向。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào **guīhuà** yīxià gōngsī wèilái wǔ nián de fāzhǎn fāngxiàng.
    * English: We need to plan out the company's development direction for the next five years.
    * Analysis: Here, **规划** is used as a verb. Note the long-term (five years) and strategic nature (development direction), making it the perfect word choice.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 制定一个合理的人生**规划**对年轻人来说非常重要。
    * Pinyin: Zhìdìng yīgè hélǐ de rénshēng **guīhuà** duì niánqīng rén lái shuō fēicháng zhòngyào.
    * English: Formulating a reasonable life plan is very important for young people.
    * Analysis: `人生规划 (rénshēng guīhuà)` or "life planning" is a serious concept about setting long-term goals for one's entire life, not just for the next year.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 政府发布了新的区域发展**规划**。
    * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ fābùle xīn de qūyù fāzhǎn **guīhuà**.
    * English: The government has released a new regional development plan.
    * Analysis: This is a typical, formal usage related to government policy and large-scale development.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 他正在**规划**一次穿越欧洲的背包旅行。
    * Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài **guīhuà** yīcì chuānyuè Ōuzhōu de bèibāo lǚxíng.
    * English: He is planning a backpacking trip across Europe.
    * Analysis: While travel often uses [[计划]] (jìhuà), using **规划** here implies the trip is complex, long, and requires significant logistical blueprinting, elevating it beyond a simple vacation.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 这个新区的**规划**很有远见。
    * Pinyin: Zhège xīnqū de **guīhuà** hěn yǒu yuǎnjiàn.
    * English: The planning for this new district is very forward-thinking.
    * Analysis: **规划** is often paired with words like `有远见 (yǒu yuǎnjiàn)` meaning "to have foresight," emphasizing its long-term nature.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 你对自己的财务状况有什么长期**规划**吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ duì zìjǐ de cáiwù zhuàngkuàng yǒu shénme chángqī **guīhuà** ma?
    * English: Do you have any long-term plans for your financial situation?
    * Analysis: This question is about a "financial plan" in the sense of a long-term strategy (retirement, investment), not just a monthly budget.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 缺乏**规划**是导致项目失败的主要原因。
    * Pinyin: Quēfá **guīhuà** shì dǎozhì xiàngmù shībài de zhǔyào yuányīn.
    * English: A lack of planning was the main reason the project failed.
    * Analysis: This shows the negative consequence of not having a **规划**, highlighting its importance. The failure of a "project" (项目, xiàngmù) implies a scale that requires **规划**.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 我们必须重新**规划**我们的市场战略。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū chóngxīn **guīhuà** wǒmen de shìchǎng zhànlüè.
    * English: We must re-plan our market strategy.
    * Analysis: As a verb, **规划** means to create the blueprint. `重新规划 (chóngxīn guīhuà)` means to go back to the drawing board on a major strategic level.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **规划 (guīhuà) vs. 计划 (jìhuà): The Golden Rule**
    * This is the most common point of confusion. Think of it this way: **规划 (guīhuà)** is the **blueprint** or **framework**. [[计划]] (jìhuà) is the list of **steps** or **schedule** to follow.
    * **`规划 (guīhuà)`:** Long-term, strategic, high-level, formal. About the "what" and "why" on a grand scale. (e.g., City plan, 10-year career plan).
    * **`[[计划]] (jìhuà)`:** Can be short-term, tactical, detailed, informal. About the "how" and "when." (e.g., Weekend plan, study plan, party plan).
  * **Common Mistake:** Using **规划 (guīhuà)** for simple, everyday plans.
    * **Incorrect:** `我今天的**规划**是去购物和打扫房间。` (Wǒ jīntiān de **guīhuà** shì qù gòuwù hé dǎsǎo fángjiān.)
    * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds overly dramatic and strange, like you're creating a strategic national blueprint for grocery shopping.
    * **Correct:** `我今天的**计划**是去购物和打扫房间。` (Wǒ jīntiān de **jìhuà** shì qù gòuwù hé dǎsǎo fángjiān.)
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * * [[计划]] (jìhuà) - The most critical related term. A general-purpose "plan" or "project," usually more tactical and shorter-term than a **规划**.
  * * [[安排]] (ānpái) - To arrange; arrangement. Focuses on scheduling and logistics, like arranging a meeting or a schedule. It's about putting a **计划** into a timetable.
  * * [[设计]] (shèjì) - To design; design. Refers to the creative and technical act of designing something specific (e.g., a building, a logo, a circuit). A design is often a component within a larger **规划**.
  * * [[蓝图]] (lántú) - Blueprint. A very close synonym for the noun form of **规划**, often used metaphorically for a grand vision or plan.
  * * [[战略]] (zhànlüè) - Strategy. Refers to the high-level, abstract thinking about how to win or achieve a major goal. It is often combined: `战略规划 (zhànlüè guīhuà)`. **战略** is the "way," **规划** is the map.
  * * [[方案]] (fāng'àn) - Scheme, proposal. A concrete, detailed plan of action presented for approval. A **方案** is often the output of a **规划** process.
  * * [[远景]] (yuǎnjǐng) - Long-term vision; prospect. The future state or goal that a **规划** is intended to achieve.