# 居安思危

jū ān sī wēi

Stay alert to risk in secure times

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Think of danger while living in safety

**Register:** Practical · formal

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Use for remembering risks when circumstances seem comfortable.

It encourages awareness, not constant anxiety.

## Behind the words

Traditional accounts of governance urge thinking about danger during security. Stability is treated as a time for preparation rather than complacency.

The contrast is between present security and possible future danger. The expression advises awareness of vulnerabilities when success makes them easy to overlook. It often accompanies long-term planning, maintenance, or reserves. It does not call for constant alarm; constructive foresight should lead to proportionate precautions rather than treating every secure situation as a hidden disaster.

## Examples

业务顺利的时候，也要居安思危。

### Traditional Chinese

業務順利的時候，也要居安思危。

yè wù shùn lì de shí hòu ， yě yào jū ān sī wēi 。

Even when business is going well, we should remain alert to risks.

订单很多的时候，公司也应该居安思危。

### Traditional Chinese

訂單很多的時候，公司也應該居安思危。

dìng dān hěn duō de shí hòu ， gōng sī yě yīng gāi jū ān sī wēi 。

The company should consider future risks even while orders are plentiful.

这几年没有洪水，仍然要居安思危，维护堤坝。

### Traditional Chinese

這幾年沒有洪水，仍然要居安思危，維護堤壩。

zhè jǐ nián méi yǒu hóng shuǐ ， réng rán yào jū ān sī wēi ， wéi hù dī bà 。

Even after years without floods, we should stay alert and maintain the embankments.

生活稳定以后，他仍居安思危，保留了应急储蓄。

### Traditional Chinese

生活穩定以後，他仍居安思危，保留了應急儲蓄。

shēng huó wěn dìng yǐ hòu ， tā réng jū ān sī wēi ， bǎo liú le yìng jí chǔ xù 。

Even after life became stable, he kept emergency savings against possible setbacks.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 4, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=165&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%B1%85%E5%AE%89%E6%80%9D%E5%8D%B1)

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