# 有备无患

yǒu bèi wú huàn

Preparation prevents trouble

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** With preparation, there is no calamity

**Traditional Chinese:** 有備無患

**Register:** Practical · conversational

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

## When to use it

Use when practical readiness reduces risk.

It is proverbial and does not guarantee that nothing can go wrong.

## Behind the words

Traditional political advice links preparedness with avoiding danger. The expression gives a concise reason to make provisions early.

备 means preparation and 患 means trouble or anxiety. The idiom reassures people that sensible preparation can reduce vulnerability. Its phrasing is stronger than the practical certainty available in real life; being prepared does not eliminate every risk. It commonly supports a small precaution, backup, or contingency before an event.

## Examples

出门前检查装备，有备无患。

### Traditional Chinese

出門前檢查裝備，有備無患。

chū mén qián jiǎn chá zhuāng bèi ， yǒu bèi wú huàn 。

Check your equipment before leaving; preparation reduces trouble.

出发前带好地图和备用电池，有备无患。

### Traditional Chinese

出發前帶好地圖和備用電池，有備無患。

chū fā qián dài hǎo dì tú hé bèi yòng diàn chí ， yǒu bèi wú huàn 。

Take a map and spare batteries before leaving; preparation reduces trouble.

她给演讲准备了纸质稿，万一设备坏了也有备无患。

### Traditional Chinese

她給演講準備了紙質稿，萬一設備壞了也有備無患。

tā gěi yǎn jiǎng zhǔn bèi le zhǐ zhì gǎo ， wàn yī shè bèi huài le yě yǒu bèi wú huàn 。

She prepared printed notes for the speech in case the equipment failed.

先检查一下应急用品，总是有备无患。

### Traditional Chinese

先檢查一下應急用品，總是有備無患。

xiān jiǎn chá yí xià yìng jí yòng pǐn ， zǒng shì yǒu bèi wú huàn 。

Checking the emergency supplies helps prevent avoidable problems.

## 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=140&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%9C%89%E5%82%99%E7%84%A1%E6%82%A3)

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