Chinese word

居安思危

Pronunciation

Pinyinjū ān sī wēi

Meaning

  • idiomstay alert in peaceful times

Example

领导提醒我们要居安思危。líng dǎo tí xǐng wǒ men yào jū ān sī wēi

The leader reminded us to prepare for danger in peacetime.

Illustration for 居安思危 (stay alert in peaceful times)

More examples

经济好时也要居安思危。jīng jì hǎo shí yě yào jū ān sī wēi

When the economy is doing well, we should still stay alert in peaceful times.

Core concept

A secure moment used to scan the horizon and put safeguards in place before danger appears.

Common phrases

  • 要居安思危yào jū ān sī wēi

    should stay alert in peaceful times

  • 保持居安思危的心态bǎo chí jū ān sī wēi de xīn tài

    keep a vigilant mindset in peacetime

  • 居安思危的观念jū ān sī wēi de guān niàn

    the concept of staying alert in peaceful times

Similar words

未雨绸缪wèi yǔ chóu móu: Making preparations and taking preventive steps before trouble or disaster occurs.
防患未然fáng huàn wèi rán: Preventing trouble or disaster before it happens.
安不忘危ān bú wàng wēi: Keeping possible danger in mind even during stable and peaceful times.

Definition in Chinese

在平安的时候想到可能发生的危险，并提前做好防范准备的态度或劝诫。zài píng ān de shí hòu xiǎng dào kě néng fā shēng de wēi xiǎn bìng tí qián zuò hǎo fáng fàn zhǔn bèi de tài dù huò quàn jiè

Word origin

The four characters in 居安思危 (jūānsīwēi, "dwell in peace and think of danger") move from being safe to considering risk, which gives the idiom its preventive force.

Usage tips

  • This idiom is common in workplace reminders and formal speeches, while everyday conversation usually favors simpler wording and a more specific description of the situation.

Other meanings

  • stay alert in peacetimeidiom

Opposites

  • 安于现状ān yú xiàn zhuàngsettle for the status quoidiom
  • 掉以轻心diào yǐ qīng xīnlet one's guard downidiom

Word lists with this word