Definition

1. Verb:
   • To foresee, to anticipate: To think about or prepare for a possible future event, especially a negative one, in advance.
   • To take precautions: To act in advance to prevent or mitigate a potential problem or danger.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy luôn phòng xa mọi tình huống xấu có thể xảy ra. (He always anticipates every possible bad situation.)
  • Chúng ta nên tiết kiệm tiền để phòng xa. (We should save money as a precaution.)
  • Cô ấy mang theo ô để phòng xa trời mưa. (She brought an umbrella to prepare for the rain.)

Advanced Usage

• "Tính toán phòng xa": To calculate/plan with foresight.

  • Một nhà lãnh đạo giỏi phải biết tính toán phòng xa. (A good leader must know how to plan with foresight.)

• "Làm phòng xa" / "Để phòng xa": To do something as a precaution / Just in case.

  • Tôi mua thêm thuốc để phòng xa. (I bought extra medicine just in case.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phòng ngừa (verb): To prevent, to take preventive measures. This word focuses more on the act of prevention itself.
• Dự phòng (verb/adjective): To reserve, to have in reserve; standby, backup. This word often relates to having resources ready.
• Lo xa (verb): To worry/think about the future. This emphasizes the mental aspect of concern about future events.

Synonyms

• Dự liệu: To foresee, to predict (often used in formal contexts).
• Đề phòng: To guard against, to take precautions (similar meaning, but "phòng xa" implies a longer-term or more distant foresight).

Related Phrases

• Phòng bệnh hơn chữa bệnh: Prevention is better than cure. This proverb encapsulates the core idea behind "phòng xa".
• Ăn trông nồi, ngồi trông hướng: (Lit: When eating, watch the pot; when sitting, watch the direction). An idiom meaning to be cautious and mindful of future consequences in all actions.

verb

1. to foresee, to anticipate