免得 miǎnde

免得（miǎnde）means “so as to avoid / lest (do something now to prevent a bad outcome)”. 免得 introduces an undesirable result that the first clause is meant to prevent. Formation: 分句1 + 免得 + 不希望出现的结果

so as to avoid / lest (do something now to prevent a bad outcome)

HSK5

Formation

分句1 + 免得 + 不希望出现的结果

Explanation

免得 introduces an undesirable result that the first clause is meant to prevent. The pattern is 'do A, 免得 B', where B is the bad outcome you want to avoid. It is common in everyday speech. The subject of the 免得 clause is often left out.

Examples

早点走，免得堵车。
zǎodiǎn zǒu, miǎnde dǔchē.
Leave early so you don't get stuck in traffic.
多穿点，免得感冒。
duō chuān diǎn, miǎnde gǎnmào.
Wear more so you don't catch a cold.

Note

免得 always precedes the BAD outcome to be avoided, never a goal. Near-synonym: 省得 (colloquial), 以免 (written).

FAQ

免得 — what does it mean and how is it used?

so as to avoid / lest (do something now to prevent a bad outcome). 免得 introduces an undesirable result that the first clause is meant to prevent. The pattern is 'do A, 免得 B', where B is the bad outcome you want to avoid. It is common in everyday speech. The subject of the 免得 clause is often left out.

免得 — how do you form it?

分句1 + 免得 + 不希望出现的结果

免得 — any usage notes?

免得 always precedes the BAD outcome to be avoided, never a goal. Near-synonym: 省得 (colloquial), 以免 (written).

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