具有借鉴意义

You’ll usually see this phrase used to describe a case study, a historical event, or a specific method. The structure is simple: [Subject] 具有借鉴意义. If you want to be more specific about who it helps, use [Subject] 对 [Someone/Something] 具有借鉴意义. It’s a heavy-hitter phrase that makes you sound thoughtful and analytical. You can boost it by adding 非常 (very) or 深远 (profound) before 具有 to show how much you value the lesson.

This is your best friend in professional settings. Use it in meetings when discussing a competitor’s strategy. Use it in school when analyzing a famous experiment. You can even use it with friends when discussing life choices. For example, if a friend tells you how they successfully negotiated a raise, you can say their experience 具有借鉴意义. It shows you’re paying attention and respect their process. It’s perfect for any situation where you are looking for a "best practice."

Don't use this for trivial, purely subjective things. If you like a flavor of ice cream, don't say it 具有借鉴意义. That sounds like you’re planning to write a thesis on vanilla bean. Also, avoid it in highly emotional, raw moments. If a friend is crying about a breakup, saying their pain "has reference value" will probably get you blocked. It’s a bit too clinical for heart-to-heart talks. Keep it for things that involve a process or a strategy.

Chinese culture has a long tradition of using history as a mirror. The word 鉴 (jiàn) actually refers to an ancient bronze mirror. There’s a famous historical text called 资治通鉴 (Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance). The idea is that looking at the past helps you fix your hair—and your government—in the present. When you use this phrase, you are tapping into that deep-seated belief that wisdom is something you "borrow" from the experiences of others.

You might hear 值得借鉴 (zhídé jièjiàn), which means "worth referencing." It’s a bit shorter and more common in casual speech. Another one is 有参考价值 (yǒu cānkǎo jiàzhí), which means "has reference value." This is slightly more technical and used often in research. If you’re talking about a bad example you want to avoid, you might use 前车之鉴 (qiánchēzhījiàn), which literally means "the mirror of the cart in front"—a warning not to flip over like the guy ahead of you.