Usage and Meaning
The character 防 (fáng) primarily means "to prevent," "to guard against," or "to defend." It is commonly used in contexts related to protection or prevention, such as 防火 (fire prevention), 防晒 (sun protection), and 防疫 (epidemic prevention).
Common Collocations
These collocations show 防 used to indicate measures taken to avoid or guard against something harmful.
Usage Notes
防 is often followed by a noun indicating what is being prevented or guarded against. It can be used both as a verb and as part of compound nouns. It is more formal and specific than some synonyms like 抵抗 (dǐkàng, to resist) or 避免 (bìmiǎn, to avoid), which may have broader or different nuances.
Common Confusion
防 is about active prevention or defense, not just avoidance. For example, 防火 means taking active steps to prevent fire, not just avoiding fire. Avoid confusing 防 with 避, which emphasizes avoidance rather than defense.