从长计议
cóng cháng jì yì
to take time over a decision; to think a matter through
Character by character
从cóng
from
from
长cháng
long
long
计jì
plan
plan
议yì
discuss
discuss
Example
买房是大事，别急着交定金，咱们从长计议。
Buying a flat is a big step. Don’t rush to pay a deposit; let’s think it through properly.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
Means taking more time and weighing a matter carefully instead of deciding on the spot, not “long-term planning” in the policy sense (for that say 长远规划 or 着眼长远). Often a polite way of putting something off: 这件事还得从长计议 can mean “not now”.
Learn this in Lesson 200 · HSK 7–9: 五年规划怎样做成 (How a five-year plan is made)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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