Meaning
避免 means to take action to keep something undesirable from happening, or to stay away from a negative situation or outcome. It combines 避 (to avoid, evade) and 免 (to exempt, to escape), creating a sense of actively preventing or steering clear of trouble, mistakes, or unwanted consequences.
Usage
避免 is used in both spoken and written Chinese, though it's more common in formal contexts. It typically takes a noun or verb phrase as its object, describing what you want to prevent. Common pattern: 避免 + negative outcome. Native speakers often pair it with 尽量 (as much as possible) to emphasize effort.
Examples
- 01为了避免误会，我们应该事先沟通清楚。, .To avoid misunderstandings, we should communicate clearly beforehand.
- 02开车时要集中注意力，避免发生交通事故。, .When driving, you must concentrate to avoid traffic accidents.
Characters
Common collocations
- 避免冲突to avoid conflict
- 避免错误to avoid mistakes
- 尽量避免to try one's best to avoid
- 避免损失to avoid losses
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters independently mean forms of avoidance. 避 originally depicted seeking shelter, while 免 showed someone escaping danger. Together they reinforce the concept of preventing or staying away from harm.