Understanding "警察" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 警察
• Pinyin: jǐng chá
• Literal Meaning: "警" (alert/vigilant) + "察" (observe/inspect)
• Primary Meaning: Police officer; law enforcement personnel

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"警察" is the standard term for "police" or "police officer" in Mandarin. It is neutral in tone and can refer to the profession as a whole or an individual officer. It is used in formal and informal contexts, similar to how "police" is used in English.

For example:
- When asking for help: "请叫警察！" (Please call the police!)
- When referring to someone’s job: "他是警察。" (He is a police officer.)

Character Breakdown

• 警 (jǐng): Means "alert," "warn," or "vigilant." It often appears in words related to caution or law enforcement (e.g., 警告 jǐnggào, "warning").
• 察 (chá): Means "observe," "inspect," or "investigate." It is used in words related to examination (e.g., 检查 jiǎnchá, "inspect").

Together, the characters imply someone who "watches vigilantly" or "enforces the law through observation."

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 警察在街上巡逻。
   Pinyin: Jǐngchá zài jiē shang xúnluó.
   English: The police are patrolling the street.

2. Chinese: 如果你遇到麻烦，可以找警察帮忙。
   Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ yù dào máfan, kěyǐ zhǎo jǐngchá bāngmáng.
   English: If you encounter trouble, you can ask the police for help.

3. Chinese: 我的哥哥是一名警察。
   Pinyin: Wǒ de gēge shì yì míng jǐngchá.
   English: My older brother is a police officer.

Cultural Notes

• In China, the police (警察) are generally respected as authority figures responsible for maintaining public order.
• Unlike in some Western countries, Chinese police officers often handle a wider range of duties, including traffic control, neighborhood disputes, and administrative tasks.
• The term "公安" (gōng'ān) is also used to refer to police, particularly in formal or governmental contexts (e.g., 公安局, "Public Security Bureau").

Conclusion

"警察" (jǐng chá) is the standard term for "police" in Chinese, combining the ideas of vigilance ("警") and observation ("察"). It is widely used in daily conversations and official contexts. Remember it as the go-to word when referring to law enforcement in Mandarin!