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.”
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.