About
The character 防, which now primarily means to defend against or prevent, originates from a semantic-phonetic composition combining the radical 阝 (a simplified form of 阜, indicating an earthen mound or hill) with the phonetic component 方. Its core meaning was initially tied to the physical concept of a dike or embankment, a man-made earthwork constructed to guard against flooding, which logically extended to encompass the general idea of a defensive barrier or fortification. From this concrete foundation, its meaning broadened over time into the more abstract and verbal senses of guarding against, taking precautions, or implementing measures to avert something undesirable, thereby encompassing both the physical structure and the act of defense itself.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
下雨天要防滑。
夏天必须防晒。
我们要预防感冒。
这种材料可以防火。
政府加强了防洪措施。
他们正在防御敌人的攻击。
为了防范网络诈骗，我们要小心。
在公共场所，必须做好安全防护工作。