Definition

1. Verb:
   • To take precautionary measures: To prepare in advance to be ready to deal with, prevent, or limit possible damage or negative occurrences.
   • To be on guard against; to guard against: To be watchful and careful to avoid a potential danger or unwanted situation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chúng ta cần đề phòng bão mùa hè. (We need to take precautions against summer storms.)
  • Anh ấy luôn đề phòng những rủi ro trong kinh doanh. (He always guards against risks in business.)
  • Hãy đề phòng kẻ trộm. (Be on guard against thieves.)

Advanced Usage

• "đề phòng là trên hết" / "cẩn tắc vô ưu": A saying meaning "precaution is paramount" or "it's better to be safe than sorry," emphasizing the importance of taking precautions.
  • Trước chuyến đi dài, anh ấy kiểm tra xe rất kỹ, đúng là đề phòng là trên hết. (Before the long trip, he checked the car very carefully; truly, precaution is paramount.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phòng ngừa (verb): To prevent, to prophylactically guard against. Often used in more formal or medical contexts (e.g., phòng ngừa bệnh tật - to prevent disease).
• Cảnh giác (verb/adjective): To be vigilant, alert. Focuses more on the state of watchfulness rather than the preparatory action.
• Phòng bị (verb): To prepare defenses, to be on the defensive. Often has a more military or strategic connotation.

Synonyms

• Phòng ngừa: To prevent, to take preventive measures.
• Cảnh giác: To be vigilant, to be on the alert.
• Giữ gìn: To preserve, to keep safe (can imply preventative care).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Đề phòng cẩn mật: To take strict/secret precautions.
  • Công ty đề phòng cẩn mật thông tin khách hàng. (The company takes strict precautions with customer information.)
• Đề phòng từ xa: To take precautions from afar; to plan for contingencies well in advance.
  • Nhà quản lý giỏi là người biết đề phòng từ xa. (A good manager is one who knows how to plan for contingencies well in advance.)

Related Idioms

• Ăn cơm trước kẻng: Literally "to eat rice before the bell rings," meaning to act prematurely or hastily without proper precaution/planning. It is often used to criticize a lack of .
  • Anh ta cứ ăn cơm trước kẻng, ký hợp đồng mà không đề phòng rủi ro. (He always acts hastily, signing contracts without guarding against risks.)

verb

1. to prevent; to take precaution