意义深远

You usually place this phrase after a noun or as part of a longer description. You can say a book is 意义深远. You can say a conversation was 意义深远. Most commonly, you’ll see it paired with the word for influence: 影响意义深远. It sounds polished and thoughtful. It shows you are looking at the big picture. Don't use it for small stuff like your choice of socks.

Use this when you’re talking about life-changing moments. Graduation speeches are a prime spot for this. Use it in business when discussing a new long-term strategy. It’s great for thanking a mentor who gave you advice that stuck. If you’re texting a friend about a movie that actually changed your worldview, this is your phrase. It adds a layer of gravity to your thoughts.

Avoid this for trivial, everyday occurrences. If you found a great deal on bubble tea, it’s not 意义深远. That’s just a lucky break. Using it for small things makes you sound overly dramatic or sarcastic. Also, avoid it in very casual, slang-heavy slang conversations with teenagers. It might make you sound like a history professor who wandered into the wrong room.

Chinese culture places a huge premium on legacy and the "long game." There is a deep respect for history and how past actions shape the present. 意义深远 reflects this mindset perfectly. It’s rooted in the idea that our choices echo through generations. It’s a very "Confucian" way of looking at the world. It suggests that nothing happens in a vacuum.

You might hear 影响深远 (yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn), which focuses specifically on the influence. Another one is 意义重大 (yìyì zhòngdà), which means "of great significance." However, 意义深远 is the one you want when you want to emphasize the *time* element. It’s the difference between a heavy weight and a long journey. Both are important, but only one lasts forever.