====== jièbèi: 戒备 - To Be on Guard, Vigilant, On Alert ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** jiebèi, 戒备, jiè bèi meaning, how to use jiebèi, Chinese word for on alert, vigilant in Chinese, Chinese security terms, take precautions in Chinese, 戒備, jiebèi vs fángbèi * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese word **戒备 (jièbèi)**, a key term used to describe a state of being on guard, vigilant, or on high alert. Primarily used in formal contexts like military, security, or official warnings, `jièbèi` implies a serious and prepared readiness against a potential threat or danger. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with numerous example sentences. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jièbèi * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 6 * **Concise Definition:** To be on guard, take precautions, or maintain a state of vigilance against potential danger. * **In a Nutshell:** `戒备` is about being actively prepared for something bad to happen. Think of soldiers at a border, security guards at an important event, or a city preparing for a typhoon. It's not just "being careful"; it's a heightened, formal state of readiness and watchfulness. It carries a serious tone and implies an awareness of a specific or general threat. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **戒 (jiè):** This character's original form depicts a person holding a dagger-axe (`戈`), symbolizing a warning or a prohibition. Its core meanings are "to warn," "to guard against," or "to abstain from" (as in `戒烟 jièyān` - to quit smoking). In `戒备`, it provides the sense of "guarding against" a threat. * **备 (bèi):** This character means "to prepare," "to get ready," or "equipment." It clearly points to the idea of being prepared. * **Together, 戒备 (jièbèi)** literally translates to "guard against and prepare." This combination powerfully conveys the idea of not just being passively watchful, but being actively and fully prepared for a potential negative event. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While `戒备` is a practical term rather than a deep philosophical concept like `[[面子]] (miànzi)`, its usage reflects a cultural emphasis on preparedness and stability. The traditional Chinese idiom `居安思危 (jū ān sī wēi)`, meaning "to think of danger in times of peace," captures the spirit behind `戒备`. This mindset values foresight and readiness as essential for maintaining harmony and avoiding chaos. In Western culture, the closest concept is "being on high alert" or "maintaining a state of readiness." However, `戒备` often feels more official and less emotional. While an American might say they are personally "on edge" or "on guard" in a tense social situation, `戒备` is the term a government would use for its border control, or a company for its cybersecurity measures. It's about a systematic, operational state of vigilance rather than just a personal feeling of anxiety. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `戒备` is most commonly found in formal written and spoken Chinese. * **Military and Security:** This is its primary domain. You will see it in news reports about border disputes, police presence, or security for major events like the Olympics or national conferences. * Example: `边防军处于高度戒备状态。` (The border guards are on a state of high alert.) * **Official Warnings:** Governments use it to warn citizens about natural disasters, public health crises, or potential terrorist threats. * Example: `台风来临前,沿海城市加强了戒备。` (Before the typhoon arrived, the coastal cities strengthened their preparedness.) * **Figurative and Personal Use:** It can be used metaphorically to describe being cautious or wary in business or personal relationships. In this case, it often appears as `心存戒备 (xīn cún jièbèi)`—to harbor watchfulness in one's heart. * Example: `在商业谈判中,他始终对竞争对手心存戒备。` (In business negotiations, he always remained on guard against his competitors.) Its connotation is generally neutral and descriptive, but the context is always serious. It is not an informal word. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 士兵们在边境线上严密**戒备**。 * Pinyin: Shìbīngmen zài biānjìngxiàn shàng yánmì **jièbèi**. * English: The soldiers are strictly on guard at the border line. * Analysis: A classic, literal use of `戒备` in a military context. `严密 (yánmì)` means "strict" or "tight," emphasizing the seriousness of their vigilance. * **Example 2:** * 由于收到了威胁,大使馆加强了**戒备**。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú shōudào le wēixié, dàshǐguǎn jiāqiáng le **jièbèi**. * English: Due to receiving a threat, the embassy has strengthened its security/alertness. * Analysis: Here, `加强 (jiāqiáng)` means "to strengthen" or "reinforce." This is a very common collocation: `加强戒备` (to step up security/vigilance). * **Example 3:** * 警方提醒市民在节日期间保持**戒备**,防范小偷。 * Pinyin: Jǐngfāng tíxǐng shìmín zài jiérì qījiān bǎochí **jièbèi**, fángfàn xiǎotōu. * English: The police reminded citizens to stay on guard during the holiday period to prevent theft. * Analysis: This shows the word used in a public announcement. `保持戒备 (bǎochí jièbèi)` means "to maintain a state of alert." * **Example 4:** * 经历过一次背叛后,她对所有人都心存**戒备**。 * Pinyin: Jīnglìguò yīcì bèipàn hòu, tā duì suǒyǒu rén dōu xīn cún **jièbèi**. * English: After experiencing betrayal once, she is on guard against everyone. * Analysis: A perfect example of the figurative, emotional use. `心存戒备 (xīn cún jièbèi)` means to be emotionally guarded or wary. * **Example 5:** * 面对强大的竞争对手,我们不能放松**戒备**。 * Pinyin: Miànduì qiángdà de jìngzhēng duìshǒu, wǒmen bùnéng fàngsōng **jièbèi**. * English: Facing a strong competitor, we cannot let down our guard. * Analysis: `放松戒备 (fàngsōng jièbèi)` is the direct opposite, meaning "to relax one's guard." This is a common phrase in business and strategic contexts. * **Example 6:** * 整个城市都处于高度**戒备**状态,以应对可能的恐怖袭击。 * Pinyin: Zhěnggè chéngshì dōu chǔyú gāodù **jièbèi** zhuàngtài, yǐ yìngduì kěnéng de kǒngbù xíjí. * English: The entire city is in a state of high alert to respond to possible terrorist attacks. * Analysis: `处于...状态 (chǔyú...zhuàngtài)` means "to be in a state of...". `戒备状态` (state of alert) is a common noun phrase. * **Example 7:** * 这只警觉的兔子时刻**戒备**着周围的任何动静。 * Pinyin: Zhè zhī jǐngjué de tùzi shíkè **jièbèi** zhe zhōuwéi de rènhé dòngjìng. * English: This alert rabbit is constantly on guard against any movement in its surroundings. * Analysis: Shows that `戒备` can also be used to describe the natural instincts of animals. * **Example 8:** * 我们的网络安全团队全天候**戒备**,防止黑客入侵。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen de wǎngluò ānquán tuánduì quántiānhòu **jièbèi**, fángzhǐ hēikè rùqīn. * English: Our cybersecurity team is on alert 24/7 to prevent hacker intrusions. * Analysis: A very modern application of `戒备` in the context of technology and cybersecurity. * **Example 9:** * 看到他可疑的行为,保安人员立即提高了**戒备**。 * Pinyin: Kàndào tā kěyí de xíngwéi, bǎo'ān rényuán lìjí tígāo le **jièbèi**. * English: Seeing his suspicious behavior, the security personnel immediately raised their level of alert. * Analysis: `提高戒备 (tígāo jièbèi)` is another common collocation, meaning "to raise/increase the level of alert." * **Example 10:** * 解除**戒备**的命令下达后,士兵们终于可以休息了。 * Pinyin: Jiěchú **jièbèi** de mìnglìng xiàdá hòu, shìbīngmen zhōngyú kěyǐ xiūxi le. * English: After the order to stand down (lit: "lift the state of alert") was given, the soldiers could finally rest. * Analysis: Shows the opposite action. `解除戒备 (jiěchú jièbèi)` means to lift or cancel the state of alert. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`戒备 (jièbèi)` vs. `小心 (xiǎoxīn)`:** This is the most common point of confusion for learners. * `小心 (xiǎoxīn)` means "be careful." It's used for everyday, small-scale dangers. It's informal. * **Correct:** `小心,地上有水!` (xiǎoxīn, dìshang yǒu shuǐ!) - Be careful, there's water on the floor! * **Incorrect:** `戒备,地上有水!` (This sounds absurdly formal and serious, as if the water is a national security threat.) * `戒备 (jièbèi)` is for serious, large-scale, or organized threats. It's formal. * **Correct:** `军队正在边境戒备。` (jūnduì zhèngzài biānjìng jièbèi.) - The army is on guard at the border. * **`戒备 (jièbèi)` vs. `防备 (fángbèi)`:** These two are very close and sometimes interchangeable, but there's a slight difference in focus. * `戒备` emphasizes the **state of being watchful and ready**. It's about alertness. * `防备` emphasizes the **action of preparing a defense** against something. It's about preventative measures. * Think of it this way: You are in a state of `戒备` (alertness) so that you can effectively `防备` (defend against) an attack. * **Incorrect Usage:** A common mistake is using `戒备` for simple caution. * **Incorrect:** `我开车很戒备。` (I drive very "on alert.") * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds overly dramatic. Driving requires caution, not a state of military readiness. * **Correct:** `我开车很小心。` (wǒ kāichē hěn xiǎoxīn.) - I drive very carefully. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * `[[防备]] (fángbèi)` - To guard against, to take defensive precautions. Focuses more on the preventative actions than the state of alertness. * `[[警惕]] (jǐngtì)` - To be vigilant, wary. Very similar to `戒备`, but often implies more of a mental or psychological vigilance. * `[[小心]] (xiǎoxīn)` - To be careful. The common, informal term for everyday caution. * `[[防范]] (fángfàn)` - To be on guard against, to prevent (something bad from happening, like crime or disaster). * `[[预备]] (yùbèi)` - To prepare, get ready. A general term for preparation that doesn't necessarily imply a threat. * `[[戒严]] (jièyán)` - To impose martial law. A much stronger, official action where civil liberties are suspended for security reasons. `戒备` can be part of `戒严`. * `[[守卫]] (shǒuwèi)` - To guard or defend a specific place or person (e.g., a guard `守卫` a gate). It's the physical action. * `[[戒心]] (jièxīn)` - Wariness, guardedness (noun). The psychological state of being on guard. Often used as `戒备心`.