# 深谋远虑

shēn móu yuǎn lǜ

Plan carefully with the longer term in mind

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Deep planning and distant consideration

**Traditional Chinese:** 深謀遠慮

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Praise preparation that considers later consequences.

Planning far ahead is different from refusing every change.

## The image & its use

Depth and distance describe two parts of good preparation. A plan examines the details of the current task while also considering what may follow. The expression praises someone who thinks beyond the immediate convenience and prepares for future needs. It can concern maintaining a garden, arranging a course, or organizing a team. Good foresight leaves room to revise assumptions, since careful preparation is most useful when it responds to new information.

## Examples

她为图书馆扩建深谋远虑。

### Traditional Chinese

她為圖書館擴建深謀遠慮。

tā wèi tú shū guǎn kuò jiàn shēn móu yuǎn lǜ 。

She planned the library expansion with careful foresight.

老师深谋远虑，提前安排了复习。

### Traditional Chinese

老師深謀遠慮，提前安排了複習。

lǎo shī shēn móu yuǎn lǜ ， tí qián ān pái le fù xí 。

The teacher thoughtfully arranged revision in advance.

这个方案体现了团队的深谋远虑。

### Traditional Chinese

這個方案體現了團隊的深謀遠慮。

zhè ge fāng àn tǐ xiàn le tuán duì de shēn móu yuǎn lǜ 。

The plan shows the team's careful long-term thinking.

深谋远虑之后，也要及时行动。

### Traditional Chinese

深謀遠慮之後，也要及時行動。

shēn móu yuǎn lǜ zhī hòu ， yě yào jí shí xíng dòng 。

After considering the longer term, take action at the right time.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1062&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%B7%B1%E8%AC%80%E9%81%A0%E6%85%AE)

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