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March 24, 2026
防止fángzhǐ(fang2zhi3)
防止 (fángzhǐ) means to prevent or guard against something undesirable from occurring. It is commonly used in contexts related to safety, health, and risk management, indicating proactive measures taken to avert potential problems or dangers.
Frequency#4462DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on prevention and health, often reflected in traditional practices like acupuncture and herbal medicine aimed at preventing illness rather than just treating it. This cultural focus on prevention is embodied in the term 防止.
Memory Tip
Think of 防 (fáng) as a protective wall and 止 (zhǐ) as a stop sign. Together, they create an image of stopping something bad from crossing your wall, helping you remember that 防止 means to prevent or guard against something.
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AI Study Notes for 防止
Quick Contrast
预防 (yùfáng) vs 防止 (fángzhǐ): 预防 emphasizes taking measures to prevent something from happening in the future, while 防止 focuses on stopping something undesirable from occurring.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 防 (fáng) as a protective wall and 止 (zhǐ) as a stop sign. Together, they create an image of stopping something bad from crossing your wall, helping you remember that 防止 means to prevent or guard against something.
Usage Notes
防止 is typically used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about safety or security. Common collocations include 防止事故 (fángzhǐ shìgù - prevent accidents) and 防止感染 (fángzhǐ gǎnrǎn - prevent infection). Be careful not to confuse it with similar terms that imply a passive approach.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 vocabulary word, 防止 connects with other terms related to safety and health. Students should focus on its usage in phrases and recognize its role in formal writing or discussions about preventive measures.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on prevention and health, often reflected in traditional practices like acupuncture and herbal medicine aimed at preventing illness rather than just treating it. This cultural focus on prevention is embodied in the term 防止.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 防止 with 预防, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我预防火灾' (I prevent fire) instead of '我防止火灾' (I guard against fire) can imply different meanings in context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 防止
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Grammar Patterns of 防止
防止 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我把油画平放以____未干的颜料流动。
I lay the painting flat to stop the wet paint running.
The security forces had to intervene to prevent the situation worsening.
Cultural Notes for 防止
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on prevention and health, often reflected in traditional practices like acupuncture and herbal medicine aimed at preventing illness rather than just treating it. This cultural focus on prevention is embodied in the term 防止.
Frequently Asked Questions about 防止
While it can be used in everyday conversation, it is more commonly found in formal contexts, such as discussions about health and safety.
No, while both mean 'to prevent', 防止 is more about stopping something from happening, whereas 预防 emphasizes taking measures in advance to avoid issues.
Common phrases include 防止事故 (prevent accidents) and 防止损失 (prevent losses).
