免得 miǎnde so as not to
so as not to; so as to avoid
How to remember 免得: 免 avoid + 得 get = so as not to.
Characters
How it is used
- So as to avoid / lest - introduces the unwanted outcome you're preventing - 多穿点，免得感冒 (duō chuān diǎn, miǎnde gǎnmào) dress warm so you don't catch cold.
- A conjunction placed before the bad result you're heading off; the first clause is the precaution.
- Near 以免 (yǐmiǎn), which is more formal/written; 免得 is the everyday spoken version.