公安

• Pinyin: gōng ān
• Hanzi breakdown: 公 = public; 安 = 宀 (roof) + 女 (woman), meaning peace/security — 'a woman safe at home'

Meaning

Public security; police. The law enforcement system in China.

Refers to China's police system: 公安局 (Public Security Bureau), 公安机关 (public security organs), 公安人员 (public security personnel). In mainland China, 公安 is the standard term for police, while 警察 is also used. 公安部 is the Ministry of Public Security, the top law enforcement agency.

Examples

1. 公安部门正在全力调查这起案件。 The public security department is making all-out efforts to investigate this case.
2. 他在公安系统工作了三十年，立下过不少功劳。 He has worked in the public security system for thirty years and has made many contributions.
3. 遇到紧急情况可以拨打公安报警电话110。 In case of emergency, you can call the police hotline 110.

Usage Guide

Context: law enforcement, official, news

Tone: official

Do Say

• 请配合公安调查。(Please cooperate with the police investigation.)
• 公安部发布了通缉令。(The Ministry of Public Security issued an arrest warrant.)

Don't Say

• 在其他国家用公安指警察 (In other Chinese-speaking regions like Taiwan/Hong Kong, 警察 is more common; 公安 specifically refers to mainland China's system)

Origin & History

Compound of 公 (public) + 安 (peace, security). Together meaning 'public peace' or 'public security.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal