jièbèi: 戒备 - To Be on Guard, Vigilant, On Alert

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• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

`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 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.

• `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.

• `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`.