jǐngtì: 警惕 - To be vigilant, To be on guard, To watch out for

• Keywords: 警惕, jǐngtì, Chinese be vigilant, Chinese be on guard, watch out for in Chinese, meaning of jǐngtì, jǐngtì example sentence, 提高警惕, 保持警惕, Chinese word for alert
• Summary: The Chinese word 警惕 (jǐngtì) means to be vigilant, alert, and on guard against potential danger or problems. More than just “being careful,” it describes a sustained state of heightened awareness, often used in official warnings about national security, public safety announcements against scams, or personal advice to watch out for specific threats. Understanding jǐngtì is key to grasping the Chinese cultural emphasis on foresight, risk prevention, and preparedness.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jǐngtì
• Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To be vigilant, alert, and on guard against something.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 警惕 (jǐngtì) as the mindset of a security guard on duty or a person carefully watching their email for phishing scams. It's not about a momentary act of being careful, but a continuous, proactive mental state of watchfulness for a potential threat. It carries a serious and protective tone.

• 警 (jǐng): This character means “to warn” or “alarm.” It's composed of 言 (yán - speech) on the left and 敬 (jìng - respect, caution) on the right. The combination suggests delivering a warning with gravity and respect for the danger. You see it in words like 警察 (jǐngchá - police) and 警告 (jǐnggào - a warning).
• 惕 (tì): This character means “to be apprehensive” or “fearful.” It features the heart radical, 忄(xīn), indicating it's related to an emotion or state of mind. The right side, 易 (yì), provides the sound. So, 惕 represents an internal feeling of cautiousness.
• Together, 警惕 (jǐngtì) combines the external idea of a “warning” (警) with the internal feeling of “apprehensive alertness” (惕) to create the powerful meaning of being actively vigilant.

In Chinese culture, 警惕 (jǐngtì) often reflects a collective and proactive approach to preventing problems before they arise. It is deeply embedded in the social fabric, from government slogans to parental advice. Phrases like “提高警惕，人人有责” (Tígāo jǐngtì, rén rén yǒu zé - “It is everyone's responsibility to raise vigilance”) are common in public campaigns concerning national security, public health, or fraud prevention. This concept can be contrasted with the Western idea of “being cautious.” While “being cautious” is often an individualistic and general piece of advice (e.g., “be cautious when investing”), 警惕 often implies being on guard against a specific, and sometimes external, threat to the group or nation. It carries a stronger undertone of defense and preparedness, rooted in a historical and cultural awareness that stability and safety must be actively maintained, not taken for granted. It's less about avoiding a simple accident and more about defending against a deliberate threat.

警惕 is used in both formal and informal contexts, but almost always with a serious tone.

• Official and Media Usage: This is its most common environment. News reports, government announcements, and public service broadcasts frequently use 警惕 to warn the public about issues like espionage, telecommunication scams, economic risks, or disease outbreaks. Common collocations are `提高警惕 (tígāo jǐngtì - to raise/heighten vigilance)` and `保持警惕 (bǎochí jǐngtì - to maintain vigilance)`.
• Personal and Everyday Conversation: In daily life, people use it to give serious advice. A parent might tell their child to 警惕 bad influences online. A friend might warn another to 警惕 a suspiciously good investment opportunity. It's stronger and more specific than simply saying `小心 (xiǎoxīn - be careful)`.
• As an Adjective: Less commonly, it can be used as an adjective to describe a person or their expression, e.g., `警惕的目光 (jǐngtì de mùguāng - a vigilant gaze)`.

• Example 1:
  • 我们必须对网络诈骗保持高度警惕。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū duì wǎngluò zhàpiàn bǎochí gāodù jǐngtì.
  • English: We must maintain a high degree of vigilance against online scams.
  • Analysis: A very common and practical usage. `保持高度警惕 (bǎochí gāodù jǐngtì)` means “to maintain a high level of vigilance” and is often used in public safety announcements.
• Example 2:
  • 医生提醒他要警惕任何复发的迹象。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng tíxǐng tā yào jǐngtì rènhé fùfā de jìxiàng.
  • English: The doctor reminded him to be on the lookout for any signs of relapse.
  • Analysis: Here, 警惕 is used in a medical context, meaning to be watchful and alert for specific symptoms.
• Example 3:
  • 面对复杂的国际形势，我们需要提高警惕。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì fùzá de guójì xíngshì, wǒmen xūyào tígāo jǐngtì.
  • English: Facing the complex international situation, we need to raise our vigilance.
  • Analysis: This is a typical example from formal news or political discourse. `提高警惕 (tígāo jǐngtì)` is a set phrase meaning “to heighten vigilance.”
• Example 4:
  • 父母总是教导孩子要警惕陌生人。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ zǒngshì jiàodǎo háizi yào jǐngtì mòshēngrén.
  • English: Parents always teach their children to be wary of strangers.
  • Analysis: This shows the word used for personal safety advice. It's a serious warning, not just a casual “be careful.”
• Example 5:
  • 他用警惕的眼光打量着这个不速之客。
  • Pinyin: Tā yòng jǐngtì de yǎnguāng dǎliàngzhe zhège bùsùzhīkè.
  • English: He sized up the uninvited guest with a vigilant gaze.
  • Analysis: An example of 警惕 used as an adjective, modifying `眼光 (yǎnguāng - gaze)`.
• Example 6:
  • 投资者应该对市场泡沫警惕起来。
  • Pinyin: Tóuzīzhě yīnggāi duì shìchǎng pàomò jǐngtì qǐlái.
  • English: Investors should become vigilant about a market bubble.
  • Analysis: The directional complement `起来 (qǐlái)` indicates the beginning of a state of vigilance.
• Example 7:
  • 这封邮件看起来很可疑，你要警惕一下。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fēng yóujiàn kànqǐlái hěn kěyí, nǐ yào jǐngtì yīxià.
  • English: This email looks very suspicious, you should be on your guard.
  • Analysis: `一下 (yīxià)` softens the tone slightly, making it feel more like direct, friendly advice.
• Example 8:
  • 边防战士时刻警惕着边境上的一举一动。
  • Pinyin: Biānfáng zhànshì shíkè jǐngtì zhe biānjìng shàng de yījǔyīdòng.
  • English: The border guards are constantly vigilant of every single movement on the border.
  • Analysis: A classic military/security context. The particle `着 (zhe)` indicates the continuous state of being vigilant.
• Example 9:
  • 我们不能放松警惕，危险可能就在身边。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng fàngsōng jǐngtì, wēixiǎn kěnéng jiù zài shēnbiān.
  • English: We cannot lower our guard; danger could be right beside us.
  • Analysis: `放松警惕 (fàngsōng jǐngtì)` is a common phrase meaning “to relax one's vigilance” or “to let one's guard down.”
• Example 10:
  • 对于网上散布的谣言，大家要学会警惕和分辨。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú wǎngshàng sànbù de yáoyán, dàjiā yào xuéhuì jǐngtì hé fēnbiàn.
  • English: Everyone must learn to be vigilant about and distinguish the rumors spreading online.
  • Analysis: This shows 警惕 used in the context of modern information warfare and misinformation.

• `警惕 (jǐngtì)` vs. `小心 (xiǎoxīn)`: This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • `小心 (xiǎoxīn)` means “be careful.” It's used for immediate, often physical, situations. Example: `小心地滑 (xiǎoxīn dì huá)` - “Be careful, the floor is slippery.”
  • `警惕 (jǐngtì)` means “be vigilant.” It's for a sustained mental state against a potential, often abstract or deliberate, threat. Example: `警惕诈骗 (jǐngtì zhàpiàn)` - “Be vigilant against fraud.”
  • Incorrect Usage: “过马路的时候要警惕。” (Guò mǎlù de shíhòu yào jǐngtì.)
  • Why it's wrong: While grammatically possible, it sounds overly dramatic, as if you're watching for snipers while crossing the street. The natural word here is `小心 (xiǎoxīn)`. You should be careful of traffic, not vigilant against it.
• Not just “to be aware”: Being “aware” of something is `意识到 (yìshí dào)`. You can be aware of a problem without being vigilant against it. 警惕 implies you are not only aware of a potential danger but are actively watching for it and prepared to act.

• 小心 (xiǎoxīn) - Be careful. More immediate and physical than 警惕.
• 注意 (zhùyì) - To pay attention. A more general term, not necessarily related to danger.
• 防范 (fángfàn) - To prevent; to be on guard against. Focuses more on the specific defensive actions taken.
• 提防 (dīfang) - To beware of; to take precautions against. Very similar to 警惕, but often used specifically when being wary of people.
• 戒备 (jièbèi) - To guard; to be on the alert. Has a strong military or security connotation, like a city in a state of high alert.
• 警告 (jǐnggào) - To warn; a warning. The act of giving the information that necessitates 警惕.
• 警报 (jǐngbào) - An alarm; an alert signal (e.g., a fire alarm, an air-raid siren).
• 危机意识 (wēijī yìshí) - Sense of crisis; awareness of danger. The underlying mindset that leads one to be 警惕.