Lessons 7, 12: Purpose and prevention: 为了, 免得

Stating the purpose of an action (为了) and doing something to avoid an unwanted outcome (免得).

Hanyu textbook · Hanyu 5 · Lesson 7 · Hanyu 5 · Lesson 12

带上雨伞吧，免得下雨挨淋。

Dàishàng yǔsǎn ba, miǎnde xiàyǔ áilín.

Take an umbrella with you so you don't get wet in the rain.

Explanation

为了 (for, in order to) indicates the motive or purpose of an action. The clause with 为了 states the purpose, and the following clause states what is done to achieve it.

免得 (so as not to, to avoid) is usually used in the second clause. It expresses: doing what was said in the previous clause avoids an unwanted thing happening. What follows 免得 is always something bad to be avoided (免得他担心, 免得发生事故).

Structure

1
为了mục đích，(S)Vverb
The purpose or motive of an action.
- 为了吸引顾客，他高声叫卖。
  Wèile xīyǐn gùkè, tā gāoshēng jiàomài.
  To attract customers, he called out loudly.
- 为了种树，几年来他们就吃住在山上。
  Wèile zhòngshù, jǐ nián lái tāmen jiù chī zhù zài shānshang.
  To plant trees, they have been living and eating right on the mountain for the past few years.
- 为了演好这个节目，他们常常练到很晚。
  Wèile yǎnhǎo zhège jiémù, tāmen chángcháng liàn dào hěn wǎn.
  To perform this number well, they often practice until very late.
- 为了跟老师学太极拳，我每天都起得很早。
  Wèile gēn lǎoshī xué tàijíquán, wǒ měitiān dōu qǐ de hěn zǎo.
  To learn tai chi from the teacher, I get up very early every day.
2
…免得điều không mong muốn
So as not to; used in the second clause.
- 骑车上街一定要小心，免得发生事故。
  Qí chē shàng jiē yídìng yào xiǎoxīn, miǎnde fāshēng shìgù.
  When you go out on the street by vehicle, you must be careful, so as not to have an accident.
- 我病的事你最好不要告诉他，免得他担心。
  Wǒ bìng de shì nǐ zuìhǎo búyào gàosu tā, miǎnde tā dānxīn.
  It's best not to tell him I'm sick, so he won't worry.
- 带上雨伞吧，免得下雨挨淋。
  Dàishàng yǔsǎn ba, miǎnde xiàyǔ áilín.
  Take an umbrella with you so you don't get wet in the rain.

Usage notes

免得 goes in the second clause and names something bad to be avoided; the first clause is what should be done: 你再提醒他一声，免得他忘了。
Don't use 难免 in place of 免得 to link a clause about prevention: 难免 refers to something hard to avoid.

Common mistakes

~~我要赶快交作业及时，免得老师批评。~~
我要赶快交作业，免得老师批评。
免得 is followed by the bad outcome you want to avoid; the first clause should not carry a redundant adverbial
~~你再告诉他，难免他忘了。~~
你再提醒他一声，免得他忘了。
难免 cannot link a clause of precaution; use 免得

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