====== jǐnggào: 警告 - Warning, Caution, Admonition ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 警告, jǐnggào, Chinese for warning, Chinese for caution, warn in Chinese, jǐnggào meaning, 警告 meaning, Chinese safety sign, Chinese legal warning, HSK 5, admonish in Chinese.
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and usage of **警告 (jǐnggào)**, the essential Chinese word for "warning" or "caution." This page explores how **jǐnggào** is used in formal, official, and serious contexts—from safety signs and legal notices to firm advice from a doctor or parent. Understand its cultural weight and learn how to distinguish it from a simple reminder to use it effectively and avoid common mistakes.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jǐnggào
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** To warn or caution someone about a potential danger or negative consequence; a formal warning.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **警告 (jǐnggào)** is not your everyday, casual "watch out!" It's a serious and often formal word that implies a significant negative outcome if ignored. Think of the word you'd see on a high-voltage box, hear from a judge in a courtroom, or receive from a teacher about the risk of failing a class. It carries a sense of authority and gravity.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **警 (jǐng):** This character means "to be alert," "to guard against," or "to police." It's composed of 敬 (jìng), which suggests alertness and respect, and 言 (yán), meaning "speech." So, it's about "alerting speech."
  * **告 (gào):** This character means "to tell," "to inform," or "to announce." Its ancient form depicted a mouth (口) and an ox horn, symbolizing a loud, public announcement.
  * **Combined Meaning:** When you put them together, **警告 (jǐnggào)** literally means "to alertly tell" or "to announce an alert." This perfectly captures the modern meaning of issuing a formal warning about a potential danger or problem.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * In Chinese culture, communication can often be hierarchical. A **警告 (jǐnggào)** is typically issued from a position of authority, knowledge, or responsibility to someone in a lower or less informed position. This could be the government warning its citizens, a doctor warning a patient, or a parent warning a child.
  * **Comparison with "Warning":** While "warning" in English can be very broad, **警告 (jǐnggào)** is narrower and more formal. An American friend might "warn" you that a movie is bad, but using **jǐnggào** in that context would sound bizarre and overly dramatic. For a casual heads-up, a Chinese speaker would use [[提醒]] (tíxǐng - to remind). Using **jǐnggào** elevates the situation, signaling that the consequences are real and should be taken seriously. This reflects a cultural tendency to reserve such strong language for situations that truly warrant it, respecting the authority behind the warning.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **Official and Public Notices:** This is the most common use. You will see **警告** printed on signs near construction sites, high-voltage equipment, deep water, or on packaging for hazardous materials.
    * //Example: 警告：高压危险！(Jǐnggào: Gāoyā wēixiǎn!) - Warning: High-Voltage Danger!//
  * **Legal and Formal Contexts:** In law, a **警告** is an official admonition. An employer might issue a "written warning" (书面警告 shūmiàn jǐnggào) to an employee.
  * **Authoritative Advice:** Professionals use this term to convey the seriousness of their advice. A doctor might **警告** a patient to stop smoking, implying severe health consequences if they don't.
  * **Personal but Serious Confrontations:** It can be used directly between people to draw a hard line. Saying "我警告你..." (Wǒ jǐnggào nǐ..., "I'm warning you...") is a very strong and confrontational statement, often used in anger as a final warning before taking action.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 牌子上写着“**警告**：水深危险”。
    * Pinyin: Páizi shàng xiězhe “**jǐnggào**: shuǐ shēn wēixiǎn”.
    * English: The sign says, "Warning: Deep water is dangerous."
    * Analysis: This is a classic example of **警告** used as a noun on a public safety sign. It is impersonal, formal, and direct.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 医生**警告**他，如果再不戒烟，他的健康会出大问题。
    * Pinyin: Yīshēng **jǐnggào** tā, rúguǒ zài bù jièyān, tā de jiànkāng huì chū dà wèntí.
    * English: The doctor warned him that if he didn't quit smoking, his health would face serious problems.
    * Analysis: Here, **警告** is a verb used by a figure of authority (a doctor) to highlight severe consequences.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 我**警告**你，不要再碰我的东西！
    * Pinyin: Wǒ **jǐnggào** nǐ, bùyào zài pèng wǒ de dōngxi!
    * English: I'm warning you, don't touch my stuff again!
    * Analysis: This demonstrates the confrontational, personal use of **警告**. It functions as a direct threat and indicates a high level of anger or frustration.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 由于他多次迟到，公司给了他一次书面**警告**。
    * Pinyin: Yóuyú tā duōcì chídào, gōngsī gěile tā yīcì shūmiàn **jǐnggào**.
    * English: Because he was late many times, the company gave him a written warning.
    * Analysis: This shows **警告** used as a noun in a formal, workplace context. A "书面警告 (shūmiàn jǐnggào)" is an official disciplinary action.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 政府向沿海居民发出台风**警告**。
    * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ xiàng yánhǎi jūmín fāchū táifēng **jǐnggào**.
    * English: The government issued a typhoon warning to coastal residents.
    * Analysis: This highlights its use in official public announcements regarding natural disasters.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 妈妈**警告**孩子们不要和陌生人说话。
    * Pinyin: Māma **jǐnggào** háizimen bùyào hé mòshēngrén shuōhuà.
    * English: The mother warned the children not to talk to strangers.
    * Analysis: A common use within a family. The parent is the authority figure, and the potential danger is serious.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 电脑弹出了一个安全**警告**窗口。
    * Pinyin: Diànnǎo tánchūle yīgè ānquán **jǐnggào** chuāngkǒu.
    * English: The computer popped up a security warning window.
    * Analysis: In the digital world, **警告** refers to system alerts about potential risks like viruses or data loss.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 他的失败给我们所有人一个**警告**：骄傲使人落后。
    * Pinyin: Tā de shībài gěi wǒmen suǒyǒu rén yīgè **jǐnggào**: jiāo'ào shǐ rén luòhòu.
    * English: His failure served as a warning to all of us: pride comes before a fall.
    * Analysis: This is a figurative use of **警告**, where an event or outcome acts as a "wake-up call" or a cautionary tale.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 裁判向那名球员出示了黄牌以示**警告**。
    * Pinyin: Cáipàn xiàng nà míng qiúyuán chūshìle huángpái yǐ shì **jǐnggào**.
    * English: The referee showed the player a yellow card as a warning.
    * Analysis: Used in sports to describe an official warning for breaking the rules.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 这次考试不及格是对我的一个**警告**，我必须更努力学习了。
    * Pinyin: Zhècì kǎoshì bù jígé shì duì wǒ de yīgè **jǐnggào**, wǒ bìxū gèng nǔlì xuéxí le.
    * English: Failing this exam was a warning to me; I have to study harder.
    * Analysis: Similar to the "cautionary tale" example, this shows a person interpreting a negative event as a personal **警告** to change their behavior.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`警告 (jǐnggào)` vs. `提醒 (tíxǐng)`:** This is the most crucial distinction for learners.
    * **警告 (jǐnggào)** is for serious situations with significant negative consequences. It's a **warning**.
    * [[提醒]] (tíxǐng) is for minor, everyday situations. It's a friendly **reminder**.
  * **Incorrect Usage:**
    * //我**警告**你，出门别忘了带钥匙。// (Wǒ jǐnggào nǐ, chūmén bié wàngle dài yàoshi.)
    * **Why it's wrong:** This translates to "I warn you, don't forget your keys when you go out." Forgetting keys is inconvenient, not a grave danger. The tone is far too aggressive and strange.
    * **Correct Usage:** //我**提醒**你，出门别忘了带钥匙。// (Wǒ tíxǐng nǐ, chūmén bié wàngle dài yàoshi.) - "I'll remind you, don't forget your keys."
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[提醒]] (tíxǐng) - To remind. The most common alternative for a gentle, friendly heads-up. It's the opposite of **警告** in terms of severity.
  * [[注意]] (zhùyì) - To pay attention. An instruction to be aware, often seen on signs, but more general than **警告**. (e.g., "注意安全" - Pay attention to safety).
  * [[小心]] (xiǎoxīn) - To be careful; Be careful! A direct command to be cautious in the immediate moment.
  * [[危险]] (wēixiǎn) - Danger; Dangerous. The reason for a **警告**. The two words often appear together.
  * [[忠告]] (zhōnggào) - Sincere advice; counsel. This is a type of warning given out of loyalty or care, often from a friend or mentor. It's more personal and less authoritative than **警告**.
  * [[告诫]] (gàojiè) - To admonish; to warn against (especially moral failings). This is more formal and literary than **警告**.
  * [[威胁]] (wēixié) - To threaten; a threat. While **警告** can be a threat ("I'm warning you!"), **威胁** is explicitly about the intent to cause harm if the demand is not met. It is more malicious.