Meaning
防备 means to take defensive measures or precautions against potential danger, harm, or unwanted situations. It emphasizes being alert and prepared beforehand to prevent something negative from happening. The word combines the concepts of defending (防) and preparing (备).
Usage
防备 is commonly used in both everyday conversation and formal contexts when discussing safety measures, defensive strategies, or being cautious about potential threats. It often appears with objects that represent dangers or problems (natural disasters, enemies, theft, etc.). The phrase 防备着 (fángbèizhe) means 'being on guard' in a continuous sense.
Examples
- 01我们要防备突然袭击。.We need to guard against a surprise attack.
- 02他毫无防备地被雨淋湿了。.He was caught completely unprepared and got soaked in the rain.
Characters
Common collocations
- 防备敌人to guard against the enemy
- 毫无防备completely unprepared, caught off guard
- 加强防备to strengthen defenses/precautions
- 防备措施preventive measures
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 防 (to defend/prevent) with 备 (to prepare/make ready), literally meaning 'to defend by preparing,' which naturally evolved to mean taking precautions or guarding against threats.