shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ: 深谋远虑 - Deep Planning and Far-sightedness

• Keywords: shenmouyuanlü, shēn móu yuǎn lǜ, 深谋远虑, deep planning Chinese, far-sighted meaning, Chinese idiom for strategy, strategic thinking in Chinese, chengyu for planning, foresight, long-term planning, prudent, wise planning
• Summary: 深谋远虑 (shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ) is a highly-regarded Chinese idiom (chengyu) that describes the quality of being thoughtful, strategic, and far-sighted. It signifies the ability to create deep, long-term plans while considering all future consequences. This page breaks down the meaning of 深谋远虑, its cultural significance in valuing wisdom and foresight, and how to use it in modern contexts, from praising a business leader's strategy to admiring a parent's life planning.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ
• Part of Speech: Idiom (Chengyu)
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To think deeply and plan for the distant future; to be strategic and far-sighted.
• In a Nutshell: This isn't just about making a plan; it's about having a grand strategy. Someone who is 深谋远虑 doesn't just think about the next step, but about the next ten steps and all their potential outcomes. It is the opposite of being impulsive, reactive, or short-sighted. In Chinese culture, this is considered a profound virtue, a sign of wisdom, responsibility, and great leadership.

• 深 (shēn): Deep, profound.
• 谋 (móu): To plan, scheme, strategize.
• 远 (yuǎn): Far, distant.
• 虑 (lǜ): To consider, think about, take into account.

These characters combine literally and poetically to mean “Deep (深) Planning (谋) and Far-reaching (远) Consideration (虑)”. The phrase paints a picture of a mind that can penetrate the surface of a problem and see far into the horizon of time.

• Philosophical Roots: The concept of 深谋远虑 is deeply embedded in Chinese strategic and philosophical thought, most famously in works like Sun Tzu's “The Art of War” (《孙子兵法》). Sun Tzu emphasized that victory is won through superior planning and foresight long before the battle begins, not through mere force. A wise general is always 深谋远虑. This value extends to governance, where a good ruler was one who planned for the long-term prosperity and stability of the nation, not one who sought quick, temporary gains.
• Cultural Comparison: In Western culture, we have “strategic thinking” or “long-term planning.” While functionally similar, 深谋远虑 carries a heavier weight of moral virtue. Being “strategic” in English can sometimes sound cold or calculating, like a corporate tactic. In contrast, describing someone as 深谋远虑 is a profound compliment to their character, praising their wisdom, patience, and sense of responsibility. It's less of a business skill and more of a personal quality that is admired in all aspects of life, from parenting to personal finance.

• Formality: This is a formal and very complimentary term. It is used in written Chinese and in respectful or formal speech. You would not use it casually to describe simple, everyday plans.
• Business and Politics: It's frequently used to praise a leader, CEO, or government official for a wise, long-term strategy. For example, a company's 10-year development plan or a government's infrastructure policy would be described as products of 深谋远虑.
• Personal Compliments: You can use it to praise someone's life decisions. For example, admiring how a friend has carefully planned their career path, or how parents have thoughtfully saved and planned for their child's education. It acknowledges that their current success is the result of past wisdom and foresight.
• Connotation: Overwhelmingly positive. It implies intelligence, wisdom, and a responsible nature.

• Example 1:
  • 公司的成功归功于CEO的深谋远虑。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de chénggōng guīgōng yú CEO de shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ.
  • English: The company's success is attributed to the CEO's deep planning and far-sightedness.
  • Analysis: A classic business context. This is a very high compliment, suggesting the CEO's strategy was not just lucky, but wisely planned for the long run.
• Example 2:
  • 父母为我的教育所做的深谋远虑，我至今仍然心存感激。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ wèi wǒ de jiàoyù suǒ zuò de shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ, wǒ zhìjīn réngrán xīncún gǎnjī.
  • English: To this day, I am still grateful for the thoughtful and far-sighted planning my parents did for my education.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's use in a personal, heartfelt context. It praises the parents' wisdom and sacrifice.
• Example 3:
  • 在下棋时，他总是深谋远虑，比对手多想三步。
  • Pinyin: Zài xiàqí shí, tā zǒngshì shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ, bǐ duìshǒu duō xiǎng sānbù.
  • English: When playing chess, he is always thoughtful and far-sighted, thinking three steps ahead of his opponent.
  • Analysis: This illustrates the strategic aspect of the idiom, connecting it to games of skill and intellect.
• Example 4:
  • 制定国家长期发展政策需要深谋远虑的智慧。
  • Pinyin: Zhìdìng guójiā chángqī fāzhǎn zhèngcè xūyào shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ de zhìhuì.
  • English: Formulating a nation's long-term development policy requires the wisdom of being thoughtful and far-sighted.
  • Analysis: A formal example from the context of governance and policy-making.
• Example 5:
  • 他这个人做事缺乏深谋远虑，总是只看眼前利益。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén zuòshì quēfá shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ, zǒngshì zhǐ kàn yǎnqián lìyì.
  • English: This person lacks foresight in his actions; he only ever looks at short-term benefits.
  • Analysis: This is a negative example, showing how the *lack* (缺乏, quēfá) of this quality is a criticism. It's contrasted with its opposite: seeking immediate profit.
• Example 6:
  • 这位历史人物以其深谋远虑的军事策略而闻名。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi lìshǐ rénwù yǐ qí shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ de jūnshì cèlüè ér wénmíng.
  • English: This historical figure is famous for his deeply planned and far-sighted military strategies.
  • Analysis: This connects the idiom back to its classical roots in military and historical contexts.
• Example 7:
  • 对于职业规划，年轻人应该更有深谋远虑。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú zhíyè guīhuà, niánqīngrén yīnggāi gèng yǒu shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ.
  • English: When it comes to career planning, young people should be more thoughtful and far-sighted.
  • Analysis: This is a sentence of advice, encouraging long-term thinking in personal development.
• Example 8:
  • 购买房产是一项重大决定，必须深谋远虑。
  • Pinyin: Gòumǎi fángchǎn shì yī xiàng zhòngdà juédìng, bìxū shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ.
  • English: Buying property is a major decision and must be done with deep planning and foresight.
  • Analysis: Here, the idiom is used as an adverbial phrase, modifying the action of making a decision. It emphasizes the need for careful consideration.
• Example 9:
  • 他的投资组合表明了他是一个深谋远虑的投资者。
  • Pinyin: Tā de tóuzī zǔhé biǎomíngle tā shì yī gè shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ de tóuzīzhě.
  • English: His investment portfolio shows that he is a thoughtful and far-sighted investor.
  • Analysis: A modern financial context, showing that the investor prioritizes long-term growth over short-term speculation.
• Example 10:
  • 如果没有当初的深谋远虑，我们现在可能就陷入困境了。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu dāngchū de shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ, wǒmen xiànzài kěnéng jiù xiànrù kùnjìng le.
  • English: If it weren't for our deep planning back then, we would probably be in trouble now.
  • Analysis: This highlights the benefit of past foresight, showing how it prevents future problems.

• Don't use it for trivial matters: This idiom is reserved for significant, complex, and long-term planning. Using it for simple decisions is incorrect and sounds comical.
  • Incorrect: 我深谋远虑地决定了午饭吃什么。(Wǒ shēnmóuyuǎnlǜ de juédìngle wǔfàn chī shénme.) - “I strategically and far-sightedly decided what to eat for lunch.”
  • Reason: Deciding on lunch is a minor, short-term choice. The idiom's weight is completely out of place.
• It's wisdom, not just “scheming”: While `谋 (móu)` can mean “to scheme,” the chengyu 深谋远虑 has a strong positive and moral connotation. It implies wisdom and responsibility, not malicious cunning. A similar English word like “calculating” can be negative, but 深谋远虑 is always a compliment.
• “False Friend” - Overthinking: Don't confuse 深谋远虑 with “overthinking” (`想太多 xiǎng tài duō`). 深谋远虑 is productive, strategic, and leads to a clear plan. Overthinking is often unproductive, anxiety-driven, and leads to inaction or indecisiveness. The former is a strength, the latter is a weakness.

• Synonyms / Similar Concepts:
  • 高瞻远瞩 (gāozhānyuǎnzhǔ) - To stand high and see far; visionary. Very similar to 深谋远虑 and often used interchangeably to describe a leader's grand vision.
  • 未雨绸缪 (wèiyǔchóumóu) - To fix the roof before it rains; to take precautions. Focuses more on proactive preparation and risk prevention, which is a component of being 深谋远虑.
  • 三思而后行 (sānsīérhòuxíng) - Think three times before you act. Describes the process of careful deliberation before taking an action, which is a prerequisite for 深谋远虑.
• Antonyms:
  • 目光短浅 (mùguāngduǎnqiǎn) - Short-sighted; narrow vision. The most direct and common antonym.
  • 鼠目寸光 (shǔmùcùnguāng) - A mouse's eye sees only an inch; extremely short-sighted. A more vivid and critical antonym, often used to insult someone's lack of vision.
  • 急功近利 (jígōngjìnlì) - Eager for quick success and immediate benefits. This describes the motivation that often leads to short-sighted behavior.
  • 临渴掘井 (línkějuéjǐng) - To dig a well when you're already thirsty. The opposite of planning ahead; acting only when it's too late.
• Related Concepts:
  • 智慧 (zhìhuì) - Wisdom, sagacity. The quality of being 深谋远虑 is seen as a primary expression of wisdom.
  • 策略 (cèlüè) - Strategy. A good strategy is the tangible output of a 深谋远虑 mind.