Meaning and Usage
"防止" (ぼうし) means "prevention" or "stopping something from happening." It is commonly used in formal or written contexts to talk about measures taken to avoid accidents, infections, or other unwanted events.
Common Collocations
- 事故防止 (じこぼうし): accident prevention
- 感染防止 (かんせんぼうし): infection prevention
- 不正アクセス防止 (ふせいあくせすぼうし): prevention of unauthorized access
These collocations are often seen in public announcements, manuals, and official documents.
Usage Notes
"防止" is a noun that often appears with the verb "する" to form "防止する" meaning "to prevent." It is more formal than casual expressions like "止める" or "やめる." Learners should avoid confusing "防止" with "予防" (prevention in a medical or health context), although they overlap, "防止" emphasizes stopping something from occurring.
Common Mistake
A common mistake is to use "防止" in casual conversation where simpler verbs might be more natural. For example, instead of saying "事故を防止する," in casual talk people might say "事故を止める" or "事故を防ぐ." Use "防止" mainly in formal or written contexts.