Preventing a problem is always better than dealing with its consequences.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To take measures to stop something negative from happening.
- Used to express proactive protection against risks or accidents.
- Often followed by a noun or a verb phrase.
常见语境：在健康领域，常说“防止感冒”；在安全领域，常说“防止火灾”；在工作学习中，常说“防止出错”。无论是在政府的公共宣传中，还是在家庭的日常提醒中，防止都是表达安全意识的关键用词。
- 1近义词比较：与“避免”相比，“防止”更侧重于通过主动的防护措施去抵御外部威胁，而“避免”则侧重于避开或不接触某种情况。例如，“防止火灾”是安装防火设施，“避免火灾”则是远离火源。与“预防”相比，“预防”更多用于医学或长期的逻辑规划，而“防止”的使用范围更广，更加口语化且直接。
Examples
我们要防止浪费水资源。
everydayWe must prevent the waste of water resources.
公司采取了措施以防止数据泄露。
formalThe company took measures to prevent data leakage.
多穿点衣服，防止感冒。
informalWear more clothes to prevent catching a cold.
通过疫苗接种可以有效防止该病毒的传播。
academicVaccination can effectively prevent the spread of this virus.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
防止发生意外
prevent accidents from happening
防止再次出现
prevent from recurring
Often Confused With
Avoidance is about staying away from something, while prevention is about active intervention.
Prevention is usually for long-term or medical contexts, while '防止' is for immediate, specific actions.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '防止' is versatile and fits both formal and informal registers. It is most commonly used when suggesting a proactive step to avoid a negative outcome. Ensure the object following '防止' is something undesirable.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '防止' with positive outcomes, which is incorrect. Another error is using '防止' when '避免' (avoid) would be more natural. Remember, '防止' requires an active effort to block something.
Tips
Pair with Nouns for Clarity
Always pair '防止' with a specific negative noun or verb phrase. This makes your sentence clear and professional.
Avoid Redundant Negatives
Do not use '防止' with another negative word like '不' in the same clause, as it creates double negatives that confuse the meaning.
Emphasis on Collective Safety
In Chinese culture, '防止' is frequently used in public safety slogans to encourage collective responsibility for societal well-being.
Word Origin
The character '防' comes from '阝' (mound/barrier) and '方' (square/direction), symbolizing a defensive wall. '止' is a pictograph of a foot, meaning to stop.
Cultural Context
In China, public safety campaigns often use '防止' to remind citizens of safety protocols in public spaces. It reflects a cultural emphasis on being prepared and cautious.
Memory Tip
Think of '防' (defend) + '止' (stop). You are defending yourself by stopping a bad thing from happening.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“预防”多用于医学或长期的系统性防范，如预防疾病；“防止”则更通用，侧重于针对具体事件的直接阻碍。
后面通常接名词或动词短语，例如“防止污染”或“防止发生危险”。
它本身是中性词，但所要“防止”的对象通常是负面的、不希望发生的。
口语中常说“为了防止……，我们最好……”，用于提出建议或预防措施。
Test Yourself
为了___火灾，请不要在森林里吸烟。
“防止”后接“火灾”是固定搭配，表示预防灾害发生。
Score: /1
Summary
Preventing a problem is always better than dealing with its consequences.
- To take measures to stop something negative from happening.
- Used to express proactive protection against risks or accidents.
- Often followed by a noun or a verb phrase.
Pair with Nouns for Clarity
Always pair '防止' with a specific negative noun or verb phrase. This makes your sentence clear and professional.
Avoid Redundant Negatives
Do not use '防止' with another negative word like '不' in the same clause, as it creates double negatives that confuse the meaning.
Emphasis on Collective Safety
In Chinese culture, '防止' is frequently used in public safety slogans to encourage collective responsibility for societal well-being.
Examples
4 of 4我们要防止浪费水资源。
We must prevent the waste of water resources.
公司采取了措施以防止数据泄露。
The company took measures to prevent data leakage.
多穿点衣服，防止感冒。
Wear more clothes to prevent catching a cold.
通过疫苗接种可以有效防止该病毒的传播。
Vaccination can effectively prevent the spread of this virus.
