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以免 (yǐ miǎn) — so as to avoid, lest, in order to prevent

Definition

Formal conjunction meaning 'so as not to' or 'lest', introducing the bad outcome you want to prevent. Pairs with the purpose-direction 以便 ('so that'): 以免 leads into what you want to AVOID, 以便 leads into what you want to ACHIEVE.

conjunction
so as to avoidlestin order to prevent

Examples

  • ，以免。
    Nǐ yīng gāi tí qián zhǔn bèi, yǐ miǎn kǎo shì shí jǐn zhāng.
    You should prepare in advance so as not to be nervous during the exam.
  • ，以免。
    Tā fàng màn le chē sù, yǐ miǎn fā shēng shì gù.
    He slowed down the car to avoid an accident.
  • ，以免。
    Qǐng bǎo guǎn hǎo hù zhào, yǐ miǎn diū shī.
    Please keep your passport safe to avoid losing it.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

以yǐso as to
免miǎnavoid

以 means 'so as to' and 免 means 'avoid', giving 'in order to prevent'.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

Open 以 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

免 originally drew a man wearing a ceremonial hat. It was later used for meanings such as avoid and exempt.

Open 免 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Cause, Effect & Logic

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