…，免得…
so as to avoid; so that … won’t; or else
Structure
做法 ， 免得 不想发生的事
What it means
So as to avoid; so that … won’t happen; or else. 免得 introduces the thing you want to avoid, after a piece of advice or a precaution.
How it is built
Advice or precaution + ，免得 + the unwanted result, stated plainly: 你到了就给妈妈打个电话，免得她担心 (ring Mum when you get there, so she won’t worry). It can take its own subject: 免得孩子着凉.
When to use it
Typical of reminders, instructions and parents’ talk. More spoken than 以免 (notices, reports: 以免发生危险); 省得 is more spoken still and stresses saving trouble (省得再跑一趟).
Watch out
State the bad thing itself: ✗免得她不担心 ✓免得她担心. It cannot open the sentence: ✗免得迟到，我们早点儿走 ✓我们早点儿走，免得迟到.
Examples
电线要穿进管子，埋进墙里，免得以后漏电。
Wires should be run through conduit and buried in the walls, so that they do not leak current later.
你到了就给妈妈打个电话，免得她担心。
Ring your mother when you get there, so she does not worry.
东西用完放回原处，免得下次找不到。
Put things back where they belong when you have finished with them, or you will not find them next time.
Learn this in Lesson 128 · HSK 7–9: 装修一套房 (Doing up a flat)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →