The term 看守 (kānshǒu) carries a strong connotation of official duty and responsibility. It's not a casual term. It implies that a person has been formally assigned the task of surveillance and security. A useful comparison for Western learners is to contrast 看守 (kānshǒu) with “to look after” or “to babysit.” In English, one might say, “I'm watching the kids tonight.” A direct translation using `看守` would be a serious mistake. You would never `看守` a child, because it implies the child is a prisoner who might escape. Instead, you would use `看 (kān)` alone (e.g., `看孩子 kān háizi`) or the more caring term `照顾 (zhàogù)`. This distinction highlights a key cultural point: `看守` is specifically for contexts where there is a perceived need for security against escape, theft, or unauthorized entry. It is impersonal and duty-bound, unlike the personal and nurturing act of caring for a family member.
This is the most common usage. It refers to the act of guarding a physical location or a person, almost always a detainee.
`看守` can also refer to the person performing the job. However, in modern daily life, the word `保安 (bǎo'ān)` is far more common for a “security guard” at a residential complex or office building. `看守` as a noun often refers more specifically to a prison guard, jailer, or a more old-fashioned “watchman.”