注意

• Pinyin: zhù yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 注 = 氵(water) + 主 (main), to pour/concentrate; 意 = 音 (sound) + 心 (heart), mind/attention

Meaning

Pay attention; watch out; notice. To direct one's awareness toward something, or a warning to be careful.

One of the most versatile and commonly used verbs in Chinese. Used to tell someone to be careful (注意安全, pay attention to safety), to observe something (注意看, watch carefully), or as a general warning (注意！Watch out!). Can function as a verb (pay attention to) or as part of compound expressions. Much more common in everyday speech than 留意 or 关注.

Examples

1. 过马路的时候要注意安全。 You must pay attention to safety when crossing the road.
2. 老师说大家要注意听讲。 The teacher said everyone should listen carefully.
3. 你注意到他今天穿了新衣服吗？ Did you notice that he wore new clothes today?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, safety, instruction

Tone: cautionary

Do Say

• 注意，地板很滑。(Careful, the floor is slippery.)
• 请注意保管好自己的物品。(Please take care to look after your belongings.)

Don't Say

• 我很注意了这部电影。(Don't use 注意 as a main verb for watching a movie — use 看 for watching; 注意 means to pay attention or notice something)

Origin & History

注 (pour, concentrate) + 意 (mind, attention). Together they mean 'to pour one's mind into,' hence 'to pay attention.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal