长远

• Pinyin: cháng yuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 长 = long; 远 = 辶 (walk) + 元 (origin), far or distant

Meaning

Long-term; far-reaching; taking the long view. Pertaining to extended future periods or lasting effects.

An adjective used to describe plans, perspectives, or impacts that extend well into the future. Emphasizes foresight and strategic thinking beyond immediate concerns. Common in business strategy, policy discussions, and personal planning contexts. Often paired with 眼光 (vision), 规划 (planning), or 利益 (interests).

Examples

1. 做决定的时候要有长远的眼光，不能只顾眼前。 When making decisions, you need to take a long-term view — you can't just focus on the present.
2. 环保政策关系到人类的长远利益。 Environmental policies are related to humanity's long-term interests.
3. 公司制定了一份长远发展规划。 The company has formulated a long-term development plan.

Usage Guide

Context: business, policy, planning

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 从长远来看，这项投资是值得的。(From a long-term perspective, this investment is worthwhile.)
• 我们要有长远规划，不能走一步看一步。(We need long-term planning — we can't just take it one step at a time.)

Don't Say

• 不要和'长久'完全互换 (Don't fully interchange 长远 and 长久 — 长远 emphasizes future planning and foresight, while 长久 emphasizes lasting duration)

Origin & History

Compound of 长 (long) + 远 (far, distant). Combines temporal and spatial extension to convey far-reaching implications.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal