防微杜渐
防微杜渐 (fáng wēi dù jiàn) literally means “prevent small stop gradual” and expresses “stop problems before they grow”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: fang wei du jian, fang wei du jian,防微杜渐 meaning, 防微杜渐 in english
Stop problems before they grow
Pronunciation: fáng wēi dù jiàn
Literal meaning: Prevent small stop gradual
Origin & Usage
This proactive idiom advocates preventing (防) minor problems (微) and blocking (杜) their gradual (渐) development, first appearing in Han Dynasty governance manuals. It gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty through Chancellor Wei Zheng's famous memorial warning Emperor Taizong that small issues eventually become unmanageable if neglected. The concept significantly influenced Chinese medicine, where doctors emphasized treating subtle symptoms before they manifested as serious illness. Historical texts record how hydraulic engineers applied this principle to river management, repairing minor dike weaknesses to prevent catastrophic floods. Modern applications range from risk management to relationship maintenance, emphasizing early intervention as both more effective and less costly than addressing developed problems.
Examples
English: "The company implemented strict compliance measures to prevent potential violations"
Chinese: 公司实施了严格的合规措施，以防微杜渐
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 防微杜渐 mean in English?
防微杜渐 (fáng wēi dù jiàn) literally translates to “Prevent small stop gradual” and is used to express “Stop problems before they grow”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 防微杜渐 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving stop problems before they grow.
What is the pinyin for 防微杜渐?
The pinyin pronunciation for 防微杜渐 is “fáng wēi dù jiàn”.