not yet occurred; before it happens
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
not yet happened; not yet become a reality
formalCommonly used in the set phrase 防患于未然 (to take preventive measures). Literally means 'not yet thus/so'. Often functions as an adjectival predicate in literary or formal contexts.
Fáng防
huàn患
yú于
wèi未
rán然
。
Take preventive measures before trouble occurs.
Zài在
wēi危
jī机
wèi未
rán然
zhī之
shí时
cǎi采
qǔ取
cuò措
shī施
，
shì是
míng明
zhì智
de的
zuò做
fǎ法
。
Taking measures before a crisis materializes is a wise approach.
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Wǒ我
men们
yào要
bǎ把
wèn问
tí题
jiě解
jué决
zài在
wèi未
rán然
zhuàng状
tài态
。
We must resolve the problem before it fully develops.