yùjǐng: 预警 - Early Warning, Alert, Forecast

• Keywords: yujing, 预警, Chinese early warning, China alert system, weather alert in Chinese, forecast, precaution, natural disaster warning, public health alert, to warn in advance.
• Summary: Learn about the crucial Chinese term 预警 (yùjǐng), which means “early warning” or “alert.” This word is fundamental to understanding modern China's approach to public safety and risk management. From color-coded weather alerts for typhoons to public health forecasts and economic predictions, 预警 (yùjǐng) represents a systematic, society-wide effort to prepare for potential dangers before they strike. This guide will break down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yùjǐng
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: An early warning, forecast, or alert system designed to provide advance notice of a potential danger or problem.
• In a Nutshell: 预警 (yùjǐng) is the official “heads-up” given by an authority before something potentially dangerous happens. Think of it as the siren that sounds before the storm hits, not during it. The word combines `预` (in advance) and `警` (to warn), literally meaning “to warn in advance.” It's a formal and serious term used for large-scale issues like weather, public health, and national security, reflecting a strong emphasis on preparation and collective safety.

• 预 (yù): This character means “in advance,” “beforehand,” or “to prepare.” You see it in common words like `预习 (yùxí)` (to preview a lesson) and `预订 (yùdìng)` (to book in advance). It always points to an action taken ahead of time.
• 警 (jǐng): This character means “to warn,” “to be vigilant,” or “police.” It's found in words like `警察 (jǐngchá)` (police) and `警告 (jǐnggào)` (a warning). It carries a sense of authority, seriousness, and caution.
• Combined Meaning: When you put `预` (in advance) and `警` (to warn) together, you get the very logical meaning of 预警 (yùjǐng): an “advance warning.” It’s a proactive measure, not a reactive one.

预警 (yùjǐng) is more than just a word; it's a window into China's societal philosophy of governance, risk management, and collective responsibility. The widespread and systematic use of `预警` systems for everything from pollution to typhoons reflects a deep-seated cultural value of foresight, planning, and preventing chaos (`乱 luan`). In Western cultures, particularly in the U.S., warnings are often issued, but the response can be highly individualistic. An “advisory” or a “watch” is given, and individuals are expected to make their own preparations. In contrast, a `预警` in China is often the first step in a top-down, coordinated, and collective response. When a red alert (`红色预警 hóngsè yùjǐng`) is issued, it's not just a suggestion; it triggers specific, mandatory actions from schools, businesses, and government agencies. This highlights a more collectivist approach where the state takes a primary role in protecting the public, and citizens are expected to comply for the greater good. It is the formal, systematic application of the old proverb: “Be prepared, and you will be safe” (`有备无患 yǒu bèi wú huàn`).

预警 (yùjǐng) is a formal term you will encounter frequently in Chinese news, official announcements, and weather apps. Its usage is almost always in serious, large-scale contexts. Color-Coded Alert System The most common application is China's four-tier, color-coded weather and environmental warning system. This is a critical piece of daily life.

• 蓝色预警 (lánsè yùjǐng): Blue Alert - The lowest level. Be aware.
• 黄色预警 (huángsè yùjǐng): Yellow Alert - Caution. Take minor precautions.
• 橙色预警 (chéngsè yùjǐng): Orange Alert - Warning. Prepare for significant impact. Schools and businesses may be affected.
• 红色预警 (hóngsè yùjǐng): Red Alert - The highest level of danger. Stay indoors. Widespread closures of schools and non-essential businesses are likely.

Common Contexts

• Weather and Natural Disasters: This is the most frequent usage. You'll see `台风预警` (typhoon warning), `暴雨预警` (rainstorm warning), `高温预警` (heatwave warning), and `地震预警` (earthquake early warning).
• Public Health: Used to warn about disease outbreaks, flu seasons, or other public health risks. For example, `流感预警` (influenza warning).
• Economy and Finance: Analysts might issue a `预警` about market volatility, a potential recession (`经济衰退预警`), or risks in a specific industry.
• Technology & Cybersecurity: A company might have a `网络安全预警系统` (cybersecurity early warning system) to detect threats.

• Example 1:
  • 气象局发布了台风蓝色预警。
  • Pinyin: Qìxiàngjú fābùle táifēng lánsè yùjǐng.
  • English: The meteorological bureau issued a blue alert for the typhoon.
  • Analysis: A classic and extremely common example of an official announcement using the color-coded system.
• Example 2:
  • 这个预警系统可以在地震波到达前30秒发出警报。
  • Pinyin: Zhège yùjǐng xìtǒng kěyǐ zài dìzhènbō dàodá qián sānshí miǎo fāchū jǐngbào.
  • English: This early warning system can send out an alarm 30 seconds before the seismic waves arrive.
  • Analysis: Here, `预警` is used as an adjective to describe the `系统` (system). It highlights the proactive, life-saving nature of the technology.
• Example 3:
  • 由于空气污染严重，政府启动了重污染天气橙色预警。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú kōngqì wūrǎn yánzhòng, zhèngfǔ qǐdòngle zhòng wūrǎn tiānqì chéngsè yùjǐng.
  • English: Due to severe air pollution, the government activated an orange alert for heavily polluted weather.
  • Analysis: This shows how `预警` is used for man-made environmental issues, not just natural disasters.
• Example 4:
  • 专家对经济过热的风险发出了预警。
  • Pinyin: Zhuānjiā duì jīngjì guòrè de fēngxiǎn fāchūle yùjǐng.
  • English: Experts have issued an early warning about the risk of the economy overheating.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of `预警` in a non-weather, economic context. `发出预警` (fāchū yùjǐng) is a common collocation meaning “to issue a warning.”
• Example 5:
  • 我们需要建立一个有效的预警机制来应对突发事件。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào jiànlì yīgè yǒuxiào de yùjǐng jīzhì lái yìngduì tūfā shìjiàn.
  • English: We need to establish an effective early warning mechanism to cope with emergencies.
  • Analysis: `预警机制` (yùjǐng jīzhì), or “early warning mechanism,” is a formal phrase used in policy, business, and disaster management planning.
• Example 6:
  • 收到洪水预警后，村民们立即开始撤离。
  • Pinyin: Shōudào hóngshuǐ yùjǐng hòu, cūnmínmen lìjí kāishǐ chèlí.
  • English: After receiving the flood warning, the villagers immediately began to evacuate.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the practical consequence and expected action following a `预警`.
• Example 7:
  • 该公司的财务报告包含了一些值得关注的预警信号。
  • Pinyin: Gāi gōngsī de cáiwù bàogào bāohánle yīxiē zhídé guānzhù de yùjǐng xìnhào.
  • English: The company's financial report contained some early warning signals worthy of attention.
  • Analysis: `预警信号` (yùjǐng xìnhào) means “early warning signal” or “red flag,” often used in financial and technical analysis.
• Example 8:
  • 卫生部门正在密切监控病毒的传播，并随时准备发布预警。
  • Pinyin: Wèishēng bùmén zhèngzài mìqiè jiānkòng bìngdú de chuánbō, bìng suíshí zhǔnbèi fābù yùjǐng.
  • English: The health department is closely monitoring the spread of the virus and is ready to issue a warning at any time.
  • Analysis: This shows `预警` in the context of public health preparedness.
• Example 9:
  • 面对即将到来的寒潮，北方多地发布了道路结冰黄色预警。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì jíjiāng dàolái de háncháo, běifāng duō dì fābùle dàolù jié bīng huángsè yùjǐng.
  • English: Facing the coming cold wave, many places in the north issued a yellow alert for icy roads.
  • Analysis: This example is very specific and practical, something you would hear on a Chinese weather report in winter.
• Example 10:
  • 我们的目标是预警并化解潜在的金融风险。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de mùbiāo shì yùjǐng bìng huàjiě qiánzài de jīnróng fēngxiǎn.
  • English: Our goal is to forewarn and defuse potential financial risks.
  • Analysis: Here, `预警` is used as a verb, “to forewarn,” showcasing its flexibility in formal language.

A frequent point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 预警 (yùjǐng) from 警告 (jǐnggào).

• 预警 (yùjǐng): An early warning. It's proactive, systematic, and often informational. It's about a potential future event. It alerts you to prepare.
  • Correct: `气象台发布了暴雨预警。` (The weather station issued a rainstorm early warning.)
• 警告 (jǐnggào): A direct warning. It's often a command or a caution against a specific action, and the threat is immediate or a consequence of behavior. It tells you to stop or else.
  • Correct: `老师警告学生不要在课堂上说话。` (The teacher warned the students not to talk in class.)

Common Mistake: Using `预警` for informal, personal situations. You would not tell a friend, “Let me give you an `预警`, the coffee here is terrible.” This is too formal and large-scale. For a casual “heads-up” or reminder, you should use `提醒 (tíxǐng)`.

• Incorrect: `我给你一个预警，老板今天心情不好。`
• Correct: `我提醒你一下，老板今天心情不好。` (Let me remind you/give you a heads-up, the boss is in a bad mood today.)

• 警告 (jǐnggào) - A direct warning, often about an immediate danger or as a consequence of an action. Less about future preparation and more about current behavior.
• 预测 (yùcè) - To forecast or predict. A `预警` is usually based on a scientific `预测`.
• 警报 (jǐngbào) - An alarm or siren. This is the physical signal (like a sound) that communicates a warning, whereas `预警` is the warning information or system itself.
• 提醒 (tíxǐng) - To remind; the informal, personal equivalent of giving a “heads-up” or a light warning.
• 防范 (fángfàn) - To prevent or guard against. This is the action one takes after receiving a `预警`.
• 应急 (yìngjí) - Emergency response. This is the plan that gets activated when the event forewarned by the `预警` actually happens.
• 信号 (xìnhào) - A signal. A `预警` is a type of official `信号`.
• 征兆 (zhēngzhào) - An omen or a sign. This is often a natural sign (e.g., strange animal behavior before an earthquake) that might precede an official `预警`.