居安思危...
Think of danger...
حرفيًا: Dwell (居) in peace (安), think (思) of danger (危).
Use this to advise someone to stay prepared and avoid complacency during successful or peaceful times.
في 15 ثانية
- Stay alert even when life is going great.
- Plan for future rainy days during the sunny ones.
- Avoid complacency to ensure long-term safety and success.
المعنى
It means staying alert and prepared for potential trouble even when everything is going perfectly fine. It's the Chinese way of saying 'don't get too comfortable' because life can change in a heartbeat.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Giving career advice to a friend
虽然你现在的职业很稳定，但也要居安思危，多学点新技能。
Even though your job is stable now, you should stay prepared for risks and learn new skills.
A CEO speaking to employees during a record-breaking quarter
公司今年业绩很好，但我们必须居安思危，关注市场变化。
The company did great this year, but we must stay alert to risks and watch market changes.
Texting a friend about their wild spending habits
大哥，别把钱都花光了，居安思危啊！
Bro, don't spend all your money; think about the rainy days!
خلفية ثقافية
Originating from the 'Zuo Zhuan' over 2,000 years ago, this phrase reflects the cyclical view of history in Chinese culture. It emphasizes that peace is often the precursor to chaos if one becomes complacent. Today, it remains a core value in Chinese business culture and parenting, emphasizing resilience and long-term security.
The 'Smart Friend' Vibe
Using this phrase makes you sound very grounded and wise. It's a great way to show you care about someone's long-term future rather than just their current mood.
Don't be a Buzzkill
If someone is celebrating a hard-earned victory, wait a day before dropping `居安思危`. Using it too early can make you seem like a pessimist.
في 15 ثانية
- Stay alert even when life is going great.
- Plan for future rainy days during the sunny ones.
- Avoid complacency to ensure long-term safety and success.
What It Means
居安思危 is all about foresight. It suggests that when you are in a safe, stable position, you should already be planning for the 'what ifs.' It is not about being paranoid. It is about being smart and sustainable. Think of it as checking your spare tire before a smooth road trip.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone piece of advice. You can also use it to describe a person's mindset. It usually functions as a verb or a noun phrase in a sentence. It sounds very wise and grounded. Use it when you want to sound like the responsible adult in the room.
When To Use It
Use it in a business meeting when things are going well. It shows you are a strategic thinker. Use it with friends who are spending their whole paycheck at once. It’s perfect for New Year planning or career discussions. It fits anywhere where long-term stability is the goal. Even texting a friend about saving money works.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it during a literal crisis. If the house is on fire, don't tell people to 居安思危. They are already in the 'danger' part! Avoid using it in purely romantic, lighthearted moments. Telling your date to 居安思危 while eating ice cream is a mood killer. It’s too serious for low-stakes fun.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the 'Zuo Zhuan,' an ancient historical text. Ancient Chinese philosophers obsessed over the rise and fall of dynasties. They noticed that empires usually collapsed because they got lazy during peaceful times. This concept became a pillar of Chinese governance and personal ethics. It’s why many Chinese families value high savings accounts.
Common Variations
You might hear people say 未雨绸缪 which means 'repairing the house before it rains.' While 居安思危 is the mental state of being alert, 未雨绸缪 is the actual action of preparing. Both are cousins in the world of 'being ready.' Another one is 防患于未然, which means stopping trouble before it even starts.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is a standard four-character idiom (Chengyu). It is generally formal but widely understood and used in professional and serious personal contexts. Avoid using it in light, humorous settings unless you are intentionally being ironic.
The 'Smart Friend' Vibe
Using this phrase makes you sound very grounded and wise. It's a great way to show you care about someone's long-term future rather than just their current mood.
Don't be a Buzzkill
If someone is celebrating a hard-earned victory, wait a day before dropping `居安思危`. Using it too early can make you seem like a pessimist.
The Savings Culture
This idiom is a big reason why China has one of the highest savings rates in the world. The fear of 'the unexpected' is baked into the language!
أمثلة
6虽然你现在的职业很稳定，但也要居安思危，多学点新技能。
Even though your job is stable now, you should stay prepared for risks and learn new skills.
Encouraging a friend to keep growing despite having a good job.
公司今年业绩很好，但我们必须居安思危，关注市场变化。
The company did great this year, but we must stay alert to risks and watch market changes.
Used to prevent team complacency after a big win.
大哥，别把钱都花光了，居安思危啊！
Bro, don't spend all your money; think about the rainy days!
A slightly more casual, cautionary text using the idiom.
国家应当居安思危，加强国防建设。
A nation should be prepared for danger in times of peace and strengthen its defense.
Classic formal usage regarding high-level strategy.
我买这么多零食是居安思危，万一明天外卖停了呢？
I bought all these snacks to be prepared for danger; what if delivery stops tomorrow?
Using a serious idiom for a trivial, funny situation.
这次意外让我明白了居安思危的重要性。
This accident made me realize the importance of being prepared for danger in times of peace.
Expressing a deep personal realization.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct phrase to complete the advice for a successful business owner.
生意越好的时候，越要___，防止竞争对手超越。
The sentence suggests that the better the business, the more one needs to stay alert to risks.
Which phrase fits a situation where someone is warning against laziness during good times?
我们不能满足于现状，必须___。
To not be satisfied with the status quo and stay alert is the definition of '居安思危'.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality and Usage Context
Used jokingly with friends about minor things.
Saving snacks for later.
Standard advice among family or colleagues.
Saving money for a rainy day.
Business strategy and political speeches.
Corporate risk management.
Academic papers or historical analysis.
Discussing the fall of dynasties.
Where to use 居安思危
Financial Planning
Setting up an emergency fund.
Career Growth
Learning new tech while employed.
Health
Exercising while you are still young.
Business
Researching rivals during peak sales.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNot exactly. It's about the *possibility* of bad things. It's a proactive mindset to ensure the good times last longer.
Yes, but it's a bit heavy. Use it when giving serious advice, or use it jokingly if a friend is being too reckless.
It's broader. 'Save for a rainy day' is usually about money. 居安思危 is about your mental state, your career, politics, and life in general.
It's a Chengyu (idiom), so it's naturally a bit formal. However, it's so common that people use it in daily life without sounding like a textbook.
居安思危 is the thinking part (mental alertness), while 未雨绸缪 is the doing part (taking action before the rain).
Yes! You can say someone is a 居安思危的人 (a person who is always prepared for risks).
In Chinese culture, it's seen as a positive trait of a mature and responsible person, not as being a 'Negative Nancy.'
Not really a slang version, but people might just say 留个后路 (leave a back way out) for a more casual vibe.
Focus on the flow: Jū-ān-sī-wēi. The first and last tones are high and level, making it sound very stable.
Only if you're talking about long-term stability or finances. Don't use it to suggest the relationship might fail!
عبارات ذات صلة
未雨绸缪
To fix the roof before it rains; to prepare in advance.
防患于未然
To prevent trouble before it happens.
有备无患
Where there is preparation, there is no misfortune.
得意忘形
The opposite: to get so carried away by success that you lose your head.
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