有备无患

有備無患

yǒubèiwúhuàn

idiom #25,300

Meanings

1 preparedness averts peril
2 be prepared and you will have no worries
3 forewarned is forearmed

Characters

to have; there is

to prepare; preparation

calamity; trouble; disaster

Examples

出门旅游要多备些药，有备无患。

Chūmén lǚyóu yào duō bèi xiē yào, yǒubèi wúhuàn.

When traveling, bring extra medicine — forewarned is forearmed.

我们提前制定了应急方案，有备无患嘛。

Wǒmen tíqián zhìdìng le yìngjí fāng'àn, yǒubèi wúhuàn ma.

We drew up an emergency plan in advance — better safe than sorry.

Tips

history

This idiom originates from the Zuozhuan (左传), an ancient Chinese historical classic. The idea of preparation preventing calamity is a recurring theme in classical Chinese thought.

Stroke Order

有 yǒu

备 bèi

无 wú

患 huàn