长远 (chángyuǎn) — long-term; far-reaching
HSK 5 | adjective | extending over a long period or into the distant future
长远 (chángyuǎn)
长远 describes something that extends over a long time span or far into the future, and is widely used in planning, strategy, and policy contexts at B2 level to contrast immediate gains with durable, lasting goals.
Meanings
- [adjective] long-term; long-range; far-reaching (of plans, interests, or benefits)
Example Sentences
为了长远发展，公司决定加大对研发的投入。 Wèile chángyuǎn fāzhǎn, gōngsī juédìng jiādà duì yánfā de tóurù. For the sake of long-term development, the company decided to increase investment in research and development.
教育是对社会最有长远价值的投资。 Jiàoyù shì duì shèhuì zuì yǒu chángyuǎn jiàzhí de tóuzī. Education is the investment of the greatest long-term value to society.
我们不能只顾眼前利益，而忽视了长远的规划。 Wǒmen bù néng zhǐ gù yǎnqián lìyì, ér hūshìle chángyuǎn de guīhuà. We cannot focus only on short-term interests and neglect long-term planning.
这一政策的长远影响将在未来几十年内逐渐显现。 Zhè yī zhèngcè de chángyuǎn yǐngxiǎng jiāng zài wèilái jǐ shí nián nèi zhújiàn xiǎnxiàn. The long-term impact of this policy will gradually become apparent over the coming decades.
从长远来看，保护环境符合全人类的根本利益。 Cóng chángyuǎn lái kàn, bǎohù huánjìng fúhé quán rénlèi de gēnběn lìyì. From a long-term perspective, protecting the environment is in the fundamental interests of all humanity.
她愿意接受短期内薪资较低的职位，因为这对她的长远职业发展更有利。 Tā yuànyì jiēshòu duǎnqī nèi xīnzī jiào dī de zhíwèi, yīnwèi zhè duì tā de chángyuǎn zhíyè fāzhǎn gèng yǒulì. She was willing to accept a position with lower pay in the short term because it is more beneficial for her long-term career development.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 长远发展 (chángyuǎn fāzhǎn) | long-term development |
| 长远利益 (chángyuǎn lìyì) | long-term interests |
| 长远规划 (chángyuǎn guīhuà) | long-term planning |
| 从长远来看 (cóng chángyuǎn lái kàn) | from a long-term perspective |
| 长远目标 (chángyuǎn mùbiāo) | long-term goals |
| 长远影响 (chángyuǎn yǐngxiǎng) | long-term impact |
Usage Notes
长远 is an adjective/adverbial modifier, most often appearing before nouns in the pattern 长远+N (长远利益, 长远目标) or in the adverbial phrase 从长远来看 (from a long-term perspective), which is a standard transitional phrase in formal writing and speeches.
It contrasts with 短期 (duǎnqī, short-term) or 眼前 (yǎnqián, immediate/in front of one's eyes). The tension between short-term gains and 长远利益 is a recurring theme in Chinese policy and business discourse.
Memory Hook
长 (long) + 远 (far/distant) = long and far -- stretching far into the future.