防患于未然

防患於未然

fánghuànyúwèirán

idiom #33,522

Meanings

1 to prevent trouble before it occurs (idiom)
2 to nip problems in the bud
3 preventive action

Characters

to prevent; to guard against

calamity; trouble

at; in (classical)

so; like this (classical)

Examples

消防演习是为了防患于未然。

Xiāofáng yǎnxí shì wèile fánghuànyúwèirán.

Fire drills are meant to prevent disaster before it happens.

定期体检有助于防患于未然。

Dìngqí tǐjiǎn yǒuzhù yú fánghuànyúwèirán.

Regular check-ups help catch problems before they start.

我们要居安思危，防患于未然。

Wǒmen yào jū'ānsīwēi, fánghuànyúwèirán.

We must stay alert even in peaceful times, and guard against trouble before it arises.

Tips

history

Built on 《周易·既济》: 君子以思患而豫防之 — the noble one considers future troubles and prepares against them in advance. The near-identical line 君子防未然 appears in 乐府诗集·君子行.

register

Formal and sententious. Fits policy language, safety briefings, and serious advice. In casual speech, 提前预防 conveys the same idea more colloquially.

Stroke Order

防 fáng

患 huàn

于 yú

未 wèi

然 rán