以防 (yǐ fáng) — (conjunction) in order to avoid, to prevent, le… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

以防 means 'in case / to prevent' and is typically followed by a feared outcome (以防下雨 'just in case it rains'). Functions as a conjunction linking two clauses.

conjunction

in order to avoidto preventlest

Examples

，以防。
Tā dài le bǎ sǎn, yǐ fáng xià yǔ.
He brought an umbrella in case it rains.
，以防。
Chū fā qián yào jiǎn chá chē liàng, yǐ fáng chū wèn tí.
Before departure, check the vehicle to prevent problems.
，以防。
Duō zhǔn bèi yì xiē cái liào, yǐ fáng bú gòu yòng.
Prepare extra materials in case there isn't enough.

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yǐin order to

防fángprevent

以 points to purpose and 防 means prevent, so it expresses avoiding something.

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.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

阝方防

Meaning part形符xíngfú

阝Written in full as阜fù

Sound part声符shēngfú

方

方fāng防fáng

Same sound today

防 pairs 阝 (written fully as 阜) with 方, which gives the sound.

Appears in

Cause, Effect & Logic

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