precaution

/prɪˈkɔːʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /prɪˈkɔːʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /pri-ˈkȯ-shən/ (ame, mw)

precaution — 名詞

  • precautionsingular
  • precautionsplural

1. a step taken before a possible problem so that harm, damage, or trouble is less

1.名詞B2
釋義

預防措施

事先採取以避免危險或麻煩的做法

a step taken before a possible problem so that harm, damage, or trouble is less likely

例句

Kian packed extra batteries as a precaution before the overnight train trip.

Kian 在搭夜車過夜前帶了備用電池，作為預防措施。

phrase: as a precaution

Mayumi wore gloves as a precaution while cleaning the broken window.

Mayumi 在清理碎玻璃窗時戴上手套，以防割傷。

同義詞
  • safeguard

    often means a protection that stays in place, not one temporary step

  • preventive measure

    more formal and common in official or technical writing

  • backup

    more informal and often about an extra plan or copy

反義詞
  • risk

    focuses on exposure to possible harm rather than reducing it

  • carelessness

    means failing to act carefully before trouble can happen

文法句型

as a precaution

用法筆記

Often used for one protective step in the phrase "as a precaution." When several steps are involved, English more often uses the plural phrase "take precautions."

常見錯誤

❌We did a precaution before the trip.
✅We took precautions before the trip.
💡English uses 'take precautions' for protective actions, not 'do a precaution.'

2. a polite way to talk about birth control, especially when people say they took o

2.名詞
釋義

避孕

委婉指避免懷孕的做法

a polite way to talk about birth control, especially when people say they took or used it

例句

The nurse reminded Marta and her partner to take precautions every time.

護士提醒 Marta 和伴侶每次都要採取避孕措施。

phrase: take precautions

Rafael said the couple had taken precautions but still wanted medical advice.

Rafael 說那對情侶已經採取避孕措施了，但還是想尋求醫療建議。

同義詞

文法句型

take precautions

use precautions

用法筆記

Usually plural and used as a polite, indirect way to talk about preventing pregnancy. Most common after the verbs "take" and "use."

常見錯誤

❌They used a precaution last night.
✅They took precautions last night.
💡This euphemistic sense is normally plural, not a singular countable noun.

3. careful forward thinking that makes someone prepare for possible trouble before

3.名詞
釋義

遠慮

事先想到風險的謹慎作風

careful forward thinking that makes someone prepare for possible trouble before it arrives

例句

With her usual precaution, Adina checked the route before the class hike.

Adina 一向很有遠慮，帶班上健行前總先查好路線。

formal use: precaution as a quality

Devika's precaution meant the pantry stayed full before the typhoon weekend.

Devika 的遠慮讓她在颱風週末前就把儲藏室補滿了。

同義詞
  • foresight

    focuses on seeing future needs or problems clearly

  • prudence

    more formal and often stresses wise judgment

  • wariness

    suggests alert caution, often about a specific threat

反義詞

用法筆記

Formal and uncommon. Unlike sense 1, this sense describes a person's habit of thinking ahead, not one particular step.