警察

• Pinyin: jǐng chá
• Hanzi breakdown: 警 = 敬 (respectful) + 言 (speech), meaning to warn or alert; 察 = 宀 (roof) + 祭 (sacrifice), meaning to observe carefully

Meaning

Police; police officer. A member of the law enforcement force responsible for maintaining public order and safety.

Can refer to both an individual police officer and the police force collectively. In everyday speech, 警察 is the standard term. The more colloquial term is 公安, while 民警 specifically refers to a people's police officer. Children often call police officers 警察叔叔 (uncle policeman).

Examples

1. 有人报警了，警察马上就到。 Someone called the police — they'll be here soon.
2. 警察帮我找到了丢失的手机。 The police helped me find my lost phone.
3. 他的爸爸是一名警察。 His father is a police officer.

Usage Guide

Context: law enforcement, safety, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 如果遇到危险，请找警察帮忙。(If you're in danger, ask the police for help.)
• 警察正在调查这件事。(The police are investigating this matter.)

Don't Say

• 我叫了一个警察来修电脑。(Don't call the police for non-emergency services — 警察 handle law enforcement, not repairs. Say 我叫了一个技术人员来修电脑.)

Origin & History

Compound of 警 (to warn, alert) and 察 (to observe, investigate). Together: 'those who warn and observe' — law enforcement officers.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal