保安

• Pinyin: bǎo ān
• Hanzi breakdown: 保 = 亻(person) + 呆 (phonetic), meaning protect; 安 = 宀 (roof) + 女 (woman), meaning peace

Meaning

Security guard; security personnel. A person responsible for maintaining safety and order at a location.

Found at residential compounds, office buildings, shopping centres, and schools throughout China. 保安 can refer to both the person and the concept of security. The full term for a security company is 保安公司.

Examples

1. 小区的保安每天晚上都会巡逻。 The security guard in the compound patrols every night.
2. 进大楼之前要先跟保安登记。 You need to register with the security guard before entering the building.
3. 那个保安帮我找到了丢失的手机。 That security guard helped me find my lost phone.

Usage Guide

Context: work, buildings, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你可以问门口的保安。(You can ask the security guard at the entrance.)
• 保安叔叔帮我开了门。(The security guard helped me open the door.)

Don't Say

• 警察和保安一样 (Don't equate 保安 with 警察 — security guards are private employees, not police officers with legal authority)

Origin & History

Compound of 保 (to protect) and 安 (peace, safety), literally 'protect safety.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal