About
The character "警" is structurally formed from the components "敬", implying caution or respect, and "言", denoting speech, which together etymologically point to the act of issuing verbal warnings. Its original meaning centered on alerting or admonishing others to danger, but over time its usage broadened to include general concepts of vigilance and precaution. This semantic expansion eventually incorporated institutional roles, leading to its modern association with police and law enforcement in compounds such as "警察", thereby marking a transition from a verbal act of warning to a structured function of public safety and alertness.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
警察在街上巡逻。
医生警告他不要吸烟。
我们要警惕危险。
狗对陌生人很警觉。
警车呼啸而过。
远处传来警笛声。
他负责警务工作。
这次事故为我们敲响了警钟。