This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
B1 verb #2,800 most common 6 min read

预防

yùfáng
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 预防 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 预防 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of 预防 (yùfáng) as 'stopping something bad before it starts.' It is like wearing a coat so you don't get cold. In Chinese, we use this word most often with health. For example, '预防感冒' (prevent a cold). You might see it on posters in your school or doctor's office. It is a very useful word to know when you want to talk about staying healthy or being safe. Just remember: 预 means 'before' and 防 means 'stop.' So, 'before-stop.' Simple, right? You can use it in short sentences like '我要预防感冒' (I want to prevent a cold).
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, you can start using 预防 in more situations beyond just health. You can use it for safety at home or school. For example, '预防火灾' (prevent fire). You will notice that 预防 is usually followed by a 'bad thing' like a disease or an accident. You can also use the phrase '预防措施' (preventive measures) to talk about the things you do to stay safe, like locking the door or washing your hands. At this level, you should be able to understand 预防 when you hear it in simple news reports or health advice. It's a proactive word—it's about doing something now so you don't have a problem later.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B1 level, you should understand that 预防 is a formal and precise verb. It is used in professional contexts like medicine, law, and safety management. You should be able to use it in complex sentences, such as '为了预防交通事故，我们应该遵守交通规则' (In order to prevent traffic accidents, we should follow traffic rules). You will also start to see it in compound words like '预防针' (preventive injection/vaccination). At this level, it's important to distinguish 预防 from '避免' (avoid). 预防 is about the steps you take to make sure a risk doesn't turn into a reality. It's very common in social discussions about health and public safety.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 预防 in abstract and social contexts. It's not just about preventing a cold anymore; it's about '预防犯罪' (preventing crime) or '预防经济危机' (preventing an economic crisis). You should be comfortable using it in written reports and formal debates. You will also encounter the term '预防性' (preventive/precautionary) as an adjective, such as '预防性罢工' (precautionary strike) or '预防性治疗' (preventive treatment). You should understand the nuance that 预防 implies a systematic approach—it's not just a lucky escape, but a planned effort to mitigate risk. Your vocabulary should now include collocations like '积极预防' (actively prevent) and '重点预防' (focus on preventing).
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, 预防 becomes a key term in policy analysis and academic discourse. You will use it to discuss systemic prevention strategies. For example, '建立健全预防体系' (establish and improve a comprehensive prevention system). You should be able to distinguish 预防 from more nuanced terms like '防范' (to be on guard against) and '抵御' (to resist). In a C1 context, 预防 often appears in discussions about global issues, such as '预防气候变化带来的灾害' (preventing disasters caused by climate change). You should be able to use the word fluently in high-level writing, explaining the causal relationships between preventive actions and long-term outcomes. It is no longer just a verb; it is a strategic concept.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you master 预防 as a philosophical and strategic imperative. You can discuss the '预防原则' (Precautionary Principle) in international law or environmental science. You understand how 预防 integrates with '治理' (governance) and '管控' (control). At this level, you can use the word in highly sophisticated ways, such as discussing '预防性外交' (preventive diplomacy) in the context of international conflict resolution. You are sensitive to the subtle connotations of 预防 in classical Chinese thought versus modern policy. You can write extensive essays on the socio-economic benefits of '预防为主' (prevention-first) strategies in public health, using a wide range of academic collocations and complex grammatical structures.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

预防 in 30 Seconds

  • 预防 (yùfáng) means to prevent something negative by taking action beforehand.
  • It is commonly used for health (diseases), safety (accidents), and social issues (crime).
  • The word combines '预' (in advance) and '防' (to guard against).
  • It is more formal than '避免' (avoid) and more proactive than '防止' (stop).

The term 预防 (yùfáng) is a foundational concept in the Chinese language, primarily functioning as a verb that translates to "to prevent" or "to take precautions against." At its core, it embodies the philosophy of proactivity—acting before a negative event occurs to ensure it never happens at all. The word is composed of two characters: 预 (yù), meaning 'in advance' or 'beforehand,' and 防 (fáng), meaning 'to guard against' or 'to defend.' Together, they create a semantic powerhouse used to describe everything from medical vaccinations to fire safety protocols. In a cultural sense, 预防 aligns with the ancient Chinese wisdom of 'mending the fold before the sheep are lost' (亡羊补牢, though 预防 is the action taken before the sheep are lost). It is most commonly applied to contexts involving health (diseases), safety (accidents), and social issues (crime or conflict).

Etymological Breakdown
预 (Advance) + 防 (Defense) = To defend in advance.
Grammatical Category
Primarily a verb, but can function as an attributive noun (e.g., 预防措施 - preventive measures).
Tone and Register
Neutral to formal; used in daily conversation, medical journals, and government policy.

"预防胜于治疗" (Prevention is better than cure) is perhaps the most famous phrase using this word, highlighting its vital importance in healthcare.

In modern usage, 预防 is ubiquitous. Whether you are talking about 预防感冒 (preventing a cold) by wearing a mask or 预防火灾 (preventing fire) by checking electrical wires, the focus remains on the 'pre-' aspect. It suggests a level of foresight and responsibility. Unlike 'avoiding' (避免), which can happen during an event, 预防 is strictly about the period before the onset of trouble. This distinction is crucial for learners aiming for B1 proficiency and beyond.

医生建议我们通过运动来预防疾病。

— Example: Doctors suggest we prevent diseases through exercise.
Common Objects
疾病 (disease), 事故 (accident), 犯罪 (crime), 近视 (nearsightedness), 灾害 (disaster).

Using 预防 correctly requires understanding its transitive nature. It usually takes a direct object—the specific negative outcome you wish to forestall. The basic structure is Subject + 预防 + [Negative Noun]. For example, 预防感冒 (prevent a cold). However, it can also be used in more complex structures involving methods, such as 通过 [Method] 来 预防 [Problem].

Structure 1: Simple Verb-Object
我们必须预防交通事故。(We must prevent traffic accidents.)
Structure 2: Preventive Measures
采取措施预防... (Take measures to prevent...)
Structure 3: As an Adjective
预防性维护 (Preventive maintenance).

为了预防近视，孩子们应该多参加户外活动。

— To prevent nearsightedness, children should participate in more outdoor activities.

One of the most important aspects of using 预防 is its collocations. It pairs frequently with words like 积极 (actively), 有效 (effectively), and 重点 (focus on). For instance, 积极预防 means to take an active stance in prevention. In professional settings, you will often see it combined with 'measures' (措施) to form 预防措施. This is a standard phrase in safety manuals and medical advice.

这种疫苗可以有效预防流感。

— This vaccine can effectively prevent the flu.

In terms of frequency, 预防 is a high-frequency word in HSK 4 and 5 levels, but its conceptual understanding starts at B1. It is less about the difficulty of the word itself and more about knowing which 'bad thing' it can be applied to. It is rarely used for minor social faux pas; it is reserved for tangible risks like health, safety, and security.

You will encounter 预防 in several key domains of Chinese life. The most prominent is the medical and health sector. In hospitals, on public health posters, and during news broadcasts about seasonal illnesses, 预防 is the star. You'll hear phrases like 预防接种 (preventive vaccination) or 预防医学 (preventive medicine). During the COVID-19 pandemic, this word was used millions of times daily in the context of 预防感染 (preventing infection).

In the Hospital
"请问如何预防这种过敏？" (How can I prevent this allergy?)
In the Workplace
"我们要做好安全检查，预防事故。" (We need to do safety checks to prevent accidents.)
In Schools
"学校正在开展预防近视的讲座。" (The school is holding a lecture on preventing nearsightedness.)

广播：请大家勤洗手，预防病毒传播。

— Broadcast: Please wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of viruses.

Another common setting is safety and disaster management. Fire departments (消防队) focus heavily on 预防火灾. You will see signs in forests saying "预防森林火灾，人人有责" (Preventing forest fires is everyone's responsibility). In the digital world, cybersecurity experts talk about 预防网络攻击 (preventing cyber attacks) and 预防诈骗 (preventing fraud/scams), which is a major topic in modern China due to the prevalence of mobile payments.

警察提醒：下载这个APP可以预防电信诈骗。

— Police reminder: Downloading this app can prevent telecommunications fraud.

Learners often confuse 预防 with other 'prevent' or 'stop' words like 防止 (fángzhǐ), 避免 (bìmiǎn), and 阻止 (zǔzhǐ). While they all deal with stopping something, the nuances are distinct. The most common error is using 预防 for something that is already happening. 预防 is strictly for the future. If a fire has already started, you don't 预防 it; you 扑灭 (extinguish) it or 控制 (control) it.

Mistake 1: 预防 vs. 防止
预防 is 'preventive' (before it starts). 防止 is 'preventing from happening/spreading' (often used when the risk is immediate or has already shown signs).
Mistake 2: 预防 vs. 避免
避免 means 'to avoid' or 'to escape.' You can avoid a person or avoid a mistake. 预防 is more systematic and measure-based.
Mistake 3: 预防 vs. 阻止
阻止 is 'to stop' someone or something physically or by force. You 阻止 a thief, but you 预防 crime.

Incorrect: 警察预防了那个小偷逃跑。
Correct: 警察阻止了那个小偷逃跑。

— The police stopped the thief from escaping (Physical action = 阻止).

Another mistake is the object choice. 预防 is almost never used with positive nouns. You wouldn't say "预防成功" (prevent success) unless you were being extremely sarcastic. It is tied to 'harm' (害), 'disease' (病), and 'accidents' (事故). Furthermore, ensure you don't confuse it with 防御 (fángyù), which means 'defense' in a military or physical combat sense.

To master 预防, you must understand its neighbors in the semantic field of protection. 防范 (fángfàn) is a close relative. While 预防 focuses on the action of preventing, 防范 focuses on being 'on guard' or 'vigilant.' You 预防感冒 (take medicine/wash hands), but you 防范风险 (keep a watchful eye on risks). 防范 often implies a state of alertness against a potential threat, like a security guard on duty.

防治 (fángzhì)
A combination of 预防 (prevent) and 治疗 (treat). Used for long-term management of diseases or pollution.
防御 (fángyù)
To defend against an attack. More passive and reactive than 预防.
抵御 (dǐyù)
To resist or withstand. Used for external forces like cold weather or an invading army.

我们需要防治大气污染。

— We need to prevent and control (treat) air pollution.

Then there is 预警 (yùjǐng), which means 'early warning.' This is the signal that tells you it's time to 预防. For example, a weather bureau issues a 台风预警 (typhoon warning) so that people can take 预防措施. Understanding these subtle differences allows a learner to move from basic communication to nuanced expression. In academic writing, using 防范 for security and 预防 for health/safety shows a high level of linguistic control.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

The use of '为了' (In order to)

Verb-Object compounds

Attributive '的' with verb phrases

Resultative complements (though less common with 预防)

Modal verbs like '应该', '必须', '能'

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

我们要预防感冒。

We need to prevent colds.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object.

2

多喝水可以预防生病。

Drinking more water can prevent getting sick.

Verb phrase as subject.

3

预防感冒很重要。

Preventing colds is very important.

Verb-Object as a subject.

4

医生说要预防感冒。

The doctor said to prevent colds.

Reported speech.

5

洗手可以预防病毒。

Washing hands can prevent viruses.

Action + 预防 + Noun.

6

怎么预防感冒？

How to prevent a cold?

Question form.

7

这是预防感冒的药。

This is medicine for preventing colds.

Attributive phrase with 的.

8

大家都要预防生病。

Everyone needs to prevent getting sick.

Use of '大家' (everyone).

1

我们要预防火灾。

We must prevent fires.

Focus on safety vocabulary.

2

多吃水果能预防牙疼。

Eating more fruit can prevent toothaches.

Modal verb '能'.

3

学校教我们预防火灾。

The school teaches us to prevent fires.

Double object verb '教'.

4

预防火灾，人人有责。

Preventing fires is everyone's responsibility.

Common slogan structure.

5

为了预防感冒，我穿了毛衣。

To prevent a cold, I put on a sweater.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

6

这些措施是为了预防事故。

These measures are for preventing accidents.

Noun + 是为了 + Verb-Object.

7

我们要积极预防近视。

We should actively prevent nearsightedness.

Adverb '积极' (actively).

8

预防胜于治疗。

Prevention is better than cure.

Proverb/Idiomatic expression.

1

政府采取了措施来预防洪水。

The government took measures to prevent floods.

Verb '采取' + '措施'.

2

这种疫苗可以有效预防流感。

This vaccine can effectively prevent the flu.

Adverb '有效' (effectively).

3

我们应该预防交通事故的发生。

We should prevent the occurrence of traffic accidents.

预防 + [Noun] + 的发生.

4

预防犯罪是警察的工作。

Preventing crime is the police's job.

Verb-Object as a subject.

5

为了预防火灾，请不要在室内吸烟。

To prevent fires, please do not smoke indoors.

Formal request/instruction.

6

良好的生活习惯可以预防很多疾病。

Good living habits can prevent many diseases.

Complex subject.

7

我们需要预防网络诈骗。

We need to prevent online fraud.

Modern context vocabulary.

8

预防工作必须做在前面。

Prevention work must be done beforehand.

Noun '预防工作'.

1

预防性维护可以延长机器的寿命。

Preventive maintenance can extend the life of the machine.

Adjectival use: 预防性.

2

社会各界应共同预防青少年犯罪。

All sectors of society should jointly prevent juvenile delinquency.

Formal subject '社会各界'.

3

该政策旨在预防通货膨胀。

The policy aims to prevent inflation.

Verb '旨在' (aims to).

4

我们必须预防潜在的风险。

We must prevent potential risks.

Adjective '潜在' (potential).

5

加强教育是预防毒品的重要手段。

Strengthening education is an important means of preventing drugs.

Noun '手段' (means/method).

6

预防措施应根据实际情况制定。

Preventive measures should be formulated based on actual conditions.

Passive-style instruction.

7

通过法律手段来预防不公平竞争。

Using legal means to prevent unfair competition.

Prepositional phrase '通过...来'.

8

预防自然灾害需要全球合作。

Preventing natural disasters requires global cooperation.

Abstract subject.

1

建立多层次的预防体系至关重要。

Establishing a multi-level prevention system is crucial.

Academic structure '至关重要'.

2

预防性外交有助于维护地区稳定。

Preventive diplomacy helps maintain regional stability.

Specific political term.

3

该研究探讨了预防阿尔茨海默病的新方法。

The study explored new methods for preventing Alzheimer's disease.

Academic verb '探讨'.

4

预防为主、防治结合是我们的方针。

Prevention first, combined with treatment, is our policy.

Formal policy slogan.

5

有效的监管可以预防金融危机的爆发。

Effective regulation can prevent the outbreak of a financial crisis.

Noun '监管' (regulation).

6

预防犯罪不仅是警察的责任，更是全社会的责任。

Preventing crime is not only the responsibility of the police, but also that of the whole society.

Correlative conjunction '不仅...更是'.

7

我们需要从源头上预防腐败。

We need to prevent corruption from the source.

Idiomatic phrase '从源头上'.

8

预防性罢工是为了争取更好的劳动条件。

A precautionary strike is to strive for better working conditions.

Specialized labor term.

1

预防原则在环境立法中占据核心地位。

The precautionary principle occupies a central position in environmental legislation.

Legal/Philosophical terminology.

2

通过前瞻性研究，我们可以预防未知的生物安全风险。

Through prospective research, we can prevent unknown biosafety risks.

Advanced adjective '前瞻性'.

3

预防性羁押在法律界一直存在争议。

Pretrial detention (preventive detention) has always been controversial in the legal community.

Legal technical term.

4

构建全球卫生安全网络以预防未来大流行病。

Construct a global health security network to prevent future pandemics.

Formal verb '构建'.

5

预防机制的缺失导致了这场悲剧的发生。

The lack of a prevention mechanism led to the occurrence of this tragedy.

Complex causal structure.

6

在冲突升级前，预防性调解是化解危机的关键。

Before a conflict escalates, preventive mediation is the key to defusing the crisis.

Conflict resolution terminology.

7

预防为主的理念应贯穿于城市规划的始终。

The concept of 'prevention first' should run through the entire process of urban planning.

Abstract concept '贯穿于...始终'.

8

通过制度建设预防权力寻租行为。

Prevent rent-seeking behavior through institutional building.

Political science terminology.

Antonyms

放任 导致 引起

Common Collocations

预防感冒
预防火灾
预防犯罪
预防措施
预防接种
有效预防
积极预防
预防机制
预防体系
预防重点

Common Phrases

预防胜于治疗
预防为主
采取预防措施
预防针
预防医学
预防交通事故
预防近视
预防溺水
预防中毒
预防过敏

Often Confused With

预防 vs 防止

防止 is often used when the problem is more immediate or already starting.

预防 vs 避免

避免 means 'to avoid' and can be used for people or social mistakes.

预防 vs 阻止

阻止 is a physical or forceful stop of an action in progress.

Idioms & Expressions

"未雨绸缪 (Wèi yǔ chóu móu) - Dig the well before you are thirsty; prepare beforehand."
"防患于未然 (Fáng huàn yú wèi rán) - Prevent trouble before it happens."
"亡羊补牢 (Wáng yáng bǔ láo) - Mend the fold after the sheep are lost (often used as a contrast to 预防)."
"曲突徙薪 (Qū tū xǐ xīn) - Bend the chimney and move the firewood (to prevent fire)."
"居安思危 (Jū ān sī wēi) - In times of peace, prepare for danger."
"防微杜渐 (Fáng wēi dù jiàn) - Nip it in the bud."
"有备无患 (Yǒu bèi wú huàn) - Preparedness ensures safety."
"先发制人 (Xiān fā zhì rén) - Gain the initiative by striking first."
"以防万一 (Yǐ fáng wàn yī) - Just in case."
"江心补漏 (Jiāng xīn bǔ lòu) - Repair the leak in the middle of the river (too late, contrast to 预防)."

Easily Confused

预防 vs

预防 vs

预防 vs

预防 vs

预防 vs

Sentence Patterns

Sign up free to see all examples

How to Use It

Timeframe

Always refers to the future or a potential event.

Object Type

Negative events only (disease, accident, crime).

Formal vs Informal

Works in both, but more common in formal advice.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 预防 for positive events.
  • Confusing 预防 with 阻止 (stopping someone).
  • Using 预防 for something that is already happening.
  • Forgetting that 预防 is usually a verb.
  • Mispronouncing the tones (yù as 2nd tone).

Tips

Verb-Object Pair

Always pair 预防 with a noun that represents a problem.

The 'Yu' Rule

Remember 'Yu' means 'Before'. This helps you remember it's for future events.

Slogans

Look for 预防 on banners in China; it's a very common sight.

Tone Practice

Practice the 4th-2nd tone transition: Down-Up.

Formal Reports

Use '采取预防措施' to sound professional in business or academic writing.

News Keywords

If you hear 预防, the next word is likely the 'problem' being discussed.

Pre-Defense

Think: Pre (预) + Defense (防).

Global Issues

Use it when discussing climate change or economic risks.

Doctor Visits

Use it to ask about vaccines or health tips.

Home Safety

Use it when talking about fire alarms or locks.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Ancient Chinese. 预 (Advance/Before) + 防 (Dam/Guard).

Cultural Context

The concept of '治未病' (treating the disease before it arises).

Commonly seen on red banners in streets for safety and health.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你觉得预防感冒最好的方法是什么？"

"在你的国家，人们如何预防交通事故？"

"为了预防近视，我们应该做什么？"

"你认为预防犯罪最有效的方法是什么？"

"我们应该如何预防网络诈骗？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你为了保持健康所采取的预防措施。

讨论一下为什么‘预防胜于治疗’。

描述一次你因为没有做好预防工作而遇到的麻烦。

如果你是市长，你会如何预防城市火灾？

谈谈预防性教育在现代社会的重要性。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 预防 is used for negative things. You would say '确保成功' instead.

It is primarily a verb, but it can act as a noun in phrases like '预防是关键' (Prevention is key).

预防 is 'pre-action' (before anything happens). 防止 is 'stopping it from happening/spreading' (often more immediate).

It is '预防针' (yùfángzhēn).

Generally no. You don't 'prevent a person.' You 'prevent a person from doing something' (阻止).

Yes, it is a core concept called '治未病'.

No, you would say '避雨' (avoid rain) or '防雨' (waterproof). 预防 is for more serious issues.

It is neutral-formal. It's used in both daily talk and official documents.

It means Preventive Medicine.

No, only for harmful or unpleasant things.

Sign up free for tips & notes

Test Yourself 180 questions

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

Sign up free to practice

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!