公安

• Reading: こうあん
• Romaji: kouan
• Kanji breakdown: 公 (kō) — public, official; 安 (an) — peace, safety
• Pronunciation: /koː.aɴ/

Meaning

Public peace; public safety; public security. Also refers to the public security police.

A noun with two main uses: the abstract concept of public order and safety, and the concrete reference to Japan's public security apparatus. 公安警察 (public security police) monitors threats to national security, and 公安委員会 (Public Safety Commission) oversees police administration. The word carries a serious, official tone.

Examples

1. 公安委員会が新しい交通規制を発表した。 The Public Safety Commission announced new traffic regulations.
2. デモの際には公安が警備にあたっていた。 Public security officers were on guard duty during the demonstration.
3. 公安の維持は社会の安定にとって重要だ。 Maintaining public security is essential to social stability.

Usage Guide

Context: law enforcement, government, security

Tone: official

Origin & History

Compound of 公 (public, official) + 安 (peace, safety, cheap). Together they mean public peace or safety.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal