治安

• Pinyin: zhì ān
• Hanzi breakdown: 治 = 氵(water) + 台, meaning to govern/manage; 安 = woman under roof, meaning peace

Meaning

Public order; public security. The state of law and order in a society.

Used when discussing safety and crime in communities. Common phrases: 社会治安 (social order), 治安状况 (security situation), 维护治安 (maintain order). An important topic in Chinese social discourse.

Examples

1. 这个小区的治安非常好，从来没发生过盗窃案。 The public security in this neighborhood is very good; there has never been a theft.
2. 警方加强了节日期间的治安巡逻。 The police have strengthened security patrols during the holiday period.
3. 治安问题一直是居民关心的焦点。 Public security issues have always been a focus of residents' concerns.

Usage Guide

Context: news, community, government

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 这里治安怎么样？(How is the public safety here?)
• 治安越来越好了。(Public order has been getting better.)

Don't Say

• 治安的安全 (Redundant — 治安 already implies security)

Origin & History

Compound of 治 (to govern, to manage) and 安 (peace, safety). Governing for peace.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal