yùjiàn: 预见 - To Foresee, To Predict, Foresight

• Keywords: yujian, yu jian, 预见, foresight in Chinese, predict in Chinese, how to say foresee in Chinese, Chinese word for vision, 预见 meaning, foresee vs predict Chinese, Chinese business terms
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 预见 (yùjiàn), a powerful term that means “to foresee” or “foresight.” This entry explores how 预见 is more than just a guess; it implies a deep understanding or insight that allows one to anticipate future events. Discover its cultural importance in strategy and business, see practical examples, and learn the crucial difference between 预见 (yùjiàn) and similar words like 预测 (yùcè) (to forecast).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yùjiàn
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To foresee, anticipate, or predict an event before it happens.
• In a Nutshell: 预见 (yùjiàn) is the ability to “see” what's coming. It's not about magic or a crystal ball, but rather about having the insight, wisdom, or understanding of a situation to anticipate future developments. As a verb, it means “to foresee”; as a noun, it means “foresight” or “prescience.” It suggests a level of clarity and certainty that is higher than a simple guess.

• 预 (yù): This character means “in advance,” “beforehand,” or “to prepare.” You see it in words like 预习 (yùxí), to preview a lesson, and 预订 (yùdìng), to book in advance. It sets the stage for something that hasn't happened yet.
• 见 (jiàn): This character simply means “to see,” “to meet,” or “to perceive.” It's one of the most fundamental characters related to sight and understanding.
• Together: The combination 预见 (yùjiàn) literally translates to “see in advance.” This beautiful and direct construction perfectly captures the word's meaning of foresight and anticipation.

In Chinese culture, 预见 (yùjiàn) is a highly valued trait, associated with wisdom, intelligence, and strategic thinking. Its importance is deeply rooted in historical and philosophical texts.

• Strategic Thinking: Works like Sun Tzu's “The Art of War” (《孙子兵法》) are built on the principle of 预见—foreseeing the enemy's moves, understanding the terrain, and anticipating the outcome of a battle before it begins. A great general or leader is one who possesses exceptional 预见.
• Business and Leadership: In modern China, a business leader praised for their 预见 (yùjiàn) is someone who can anticipate market trends, see future opportunities, and navigate potential risks. It's a key quality of a visionary entrepreneur.
• Comparison to “Prediction”: In English, “prediction” can sometimes feel like a simple guess or a data-driven forecast (e.g., “The weather forecast predicts rain”). 预见 (yùjiàn) is closer to the English concept of “foresight” or “vision.” It implies a deeper, more qualitative understanding of the underlying forces at play. While you might 预测 (yùcè) the stock market's daily change based on data, a wise investor might 预见 (yùjiàn) a long-term industry shift based on societal changes.

预见 (yùjiàn) is a semi-formal word. You'll hear it in news reports, business meetings, and serious discussions, but it's less common in very casual, everyday conversation.

• In Business and Economics: This is one of its most common contexts. Analysts and leaders constantly talk about foreseeing economic trends, technological disruption, or shifts in consumer behavior. A company's success is often attributed to the founder's 预见.
• In Personal Decisions: It can be used to describe foreseeing the consequences of a major life decision. For example, “I could have foreseen that changing jobs would be so stressful.”
• As a Noun (Foresight): It is frequently used as a noun to describe the quality itself. E.g., “他很有预见” (Tā hěn yǒu yùjiàn) - “He has great foresight.”

• Example 1:
  • 他早就预见到了今天会发生的问题。
  • Pinyin: Tā zǎo jiù yùjiàn dào le jīntiān huì fāshēng de wèntí.
  • English: He had long foreseen the problems that would occur today.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 预见 as a verb. It implies he saw the signs and anticipated this outcome well in advance.
• Example 2:
  • 谁也无法预见未来会是什么样子。
  • Pinyin: Shéi yě wúfǎ yùjiàn wèilái huì shì shénme yàngzi.
  • English: No one can foresee what the future will be like.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the negative form 无法预见 (wúfǎ yùjiàn), “unable to foresee,” to talk about the inherent unpredictability of the future.
• Example 3:
  • 这位企业家的成功归功于他非凡的预见。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi qǐyèjiā de chénggōng guīgōng yú tā fēifán de yùjiàn.
  • English: This entrepreneur's success is attributed to his extraordinary foresight.
  • Analysis: Here, 预见 is used as a noun, meaning “foresight” or “vision.” 非凡的 (fēifán de) means “extraordinary.”
• Example 4:
  • 公司的领导者必须有能力预见市场的变化。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de lǐngdǎozhě bìxū yǒu nénglì yùjiàn shìchǎng de biànhuà.
  • English: A company's leader must have the ability to foresee changes in the market.
  • Analysis: This highlights the importance of 预见 in a business context. It's presented as a necessary skill for leadership.
• Example 5:
  • 当时我完全没有预见到这个决定的后果。
  • Pinyin: Dāngshí wǒ wánquán méiyǒu yùjiàn dào zhège juédìng de hòuguǒ.
  • English: At that time, I didn't foresee the consequences of this decision at all.
  • Analysis: A common personal use, expressing regret or lack of foresight about past actions.
• Example 6:
  • 他的小说预见了人工智能时代的到来。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xiǎoshuō yùjiàn le réngōng zhìnéng shídài de dàolái.
  • English: His novel foresaw the arrival of the artificial intelligence era.
  • Analysis: This shows how 预见 can be used for creative or intellectual works that anticipate future trends.
• Example 7:
  • 历史证明了他的预见是完全正确的。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ zhèngmíngle tā de yùjiàn shì wánquán zhèngquè de.
  • English: History proved that his foresight was completely correct.
  • Analysis: Here, 预见 is again a noun, validated by later events.
• Example 8:
  • 可以预见，未来的竞争将更加激烈。
  • Pinyin: Kěyǐ yùjiàn, wèilái de jìngzhēng jiāng gèngjiā jīliè.
  • English: It is foreseeable that future competition will be even more intense.
  • Analysis: The phrase 可以预见 (kěyǐ yùjiàn) is a very common set phrase meaning “it is foreseeable that…” or “one can predict that…”. It's often used to introduce an opinion about the future.
• Example 9:
  • 我们需要一个有预见、有魄力的领导。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào yīgè yǒu yùjiàn, yǒu pòlì de lǐngdǎo.
  • English: We need a leader with foresight and courage.
  • Analysis: 有预见 (yǒu yùjiàn) is a common way to describe someone as “having foresight.” It's paired here with 有魄力 (yǒu pòlì), having courage/boldness.
• Example 10:
  • 专家预见全球经济将在明年缓慢复苏。
  • Pinyin: Zhuānjiā yùjiàn quánqiú jīngjì jiāng zài míngnián huǎnmàn fùsū.
  • English: Experts foresee that the global economy will slowly recover next year.
  • Analysis: A typical usage in news and formal reports, where experts offer their insights on future trends.

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 预见 (yùjiàn) from 预测 (yùcè). They can both be translated as “to predict,” but their connotations are different.

• `预见 (yùjiàn)` vs. `预测 (yùcè)`
  • 预见 (yùjiàn) implies foresight based on wisdom, insight, and a deep understanding of a situation. It's often more qualitative and long-term.
    • Example: 他预见到互联网将改变世界。 (Tā yùjiàn dào hùliánwǎng jiāng gǎibiàn shìjiè.) - He foresaw that the internet would change the world. (This is about vision).
  • 预测 (yùcè) implies a forecast based on data, models, and calculation. It's often more quantitative and specific.
    • Example: 天气预报预测明天有雨。 (Tiānqì yùbào yùcè míngtiān yǒu yǔ.) - The weather forecast predicts rain tomorrow. (This is based on data).
• Common Mistake: Using 预见 for a data-driven forecast.
  • Incorrect: 股票分析师预见这只股票明天会涨。 (Gǔpiào fēnxīshī yùjiàn zhè zhī gǔpiào míngtiān huì zhǎng.)
  • Why it's wrong: A stock analyst's daily prediction is based on data, charts, and models. The more appropriate word is 预测 (yùcè).
  • Correct: 股票分析师预测这只股票明天会涨。 (Gǔpiào fēnxīshī yùcè zhè zhī gǔpiào míngtiān huì zhǎng.)

• 预测 (yùcè) - To forecast or predict. More data-driven and quantitative than `预见`.
• 预料 (yùliào) - To anticipate or expect. Often interchangeable with `预见`, but can sometimes imply a more concrete expectation of a specific outcome.
• 预感 (yùgǎn) - A premonition, hunch, or gut feeling. Based purely on intuition, not logic or evidence.
• 先见之明 (xiānjiànzhīmíng) - A chengyu (idiom) meaning “foresight” or “vision.” A very positive and formal term used to praise someone's wisdom.
• 展望 (zhǎnwàng) - To look ahead, to look to the future. Focuses on the act of looking forward rather than the specific prediction.
• 估计 (gūjì) - To estimate or guess. Much more uncertain and less formal than `预见`.
• 洞察力 (dòngchálì) - Insight, perceptiveness. This is the ability or quality that allows a person to have `预见`.