警惕

• Pinyin: jǐng tì
• Hanzi breakdown: 警 = 敬 + 言 — a warning utterance; 惕 = 忄(heart) + 易 (change, phonetic) — a heart alert to change

Meaning

To be vigilant; to stay alert; to guard against.

Describes a state of heightened awareness or caution, typically toward potential danger, deception, or threat. Used in both personal safety contexts and broader social or political warnings. Often followed by a specific threat: 警惕某人/某事. Carries a tone of active, conscious alertness rather than passive worry.

Examples

1. 在网络诈骗横行的今天，大家一定要提高警惕，不要轻易点击陌生链接。 In today's environment where online scams run rampant, everyone must heighten their vigilance and not click on unfamiliar links.
2. 边防人员时刻保持高度警惕，严密监控边境线的一切动态。 Border guards maintain a high state of alertness at all times, closely monitoring all movements along the border.
3. 她对那名陌生人的过分热情感到警惕，悄悄保持了距离。 She felt wary of the stranger's excessive enthusiasm and quietly kept her distance.

Usage Guide

Context: safety, security, social awareness

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 大家要对虚假广告保持警惕。(Everyone should stay vigilant against false advertising.)
• 他时刻保持警惕，随时准备应对突发状况。(He stays alert at all times, ready to deal with unexpected situations.)

Don't Say

• 我警惕地吃了蛋糕。(警惕 does not collocate with neutral or pleasant actions — it implies anticipating a threat)

Origin & History

警 (to warn, alert) + 惕 (to be cautious, fearful). A classical compound meaning 'to maintain a warned and cautious state.' 惕 appears in classical texts as an independent character meaning vigilance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal