kānshǒu: 看守 - To Guard, To Watch Over, Guard, Jailer

• Keywords: kanshou, kan shou, kānshǒu, 看守 meaning, 看守 in Chinese, to guard in Chinese, to watch over in Chinese, jailer in Chinese, Chinese word for warden, 看守所 meaning, difference between 看 kān and kàn
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 看守 (kānshǒu), which means “to guard” or “a guard.” This HSK 5 term is crucial for understanding contexts of security, law, and official duty, such as a watchman guarding a building or a jailer watching over prisoners. This page breaks down its meaning, correct usage, important cultural nuances, and key differences from similar words like “protect” or “take care of,” helping you use it accurately in modern Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kānshǒu (kān - 1st tone, shǒu - 3rd tone)
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To guard or keep watch over a person or place; a person who guards, such as a warden or jailer.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 看守 (kānshǒu) as “to watch and defend.” It combines the act of watching (看 kān) with the duty of defending or holding a post (守 shǒu). The feeling is formal and official. It's not about caring for someone you love, but about surveillance and maintaining security, like a guard at a gate or a warden in a prison.

• 看 (kān): In this word, this character is pronounced with the first tone, kān, and means “to watch over” or “to guard.” This is different from its more common reading, `kàn` (to see, to look at). Think of it as an active, responsible kind of watching.
• 守 (shǒu): This character means “to guard,” “to defend,” or “to keep.” It implies a sense of duty, responsibility, and staying put to protect something.
• Together, 看 (kān) + 守 (shǒu) literally means “to watch over and defend,” perfectly capturing the modern meaning of “to guard” or “a guard.”

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.

• Formality: Neutral to Formal.
• Connotation: Can be negative when referring to guarding prisoners, but is neutral when referring to guarding a location like a warehouse.
• Examples: `看守大门` (kānshǒu dàmén - to guard the main gate), `看守囚犯` (kānshǒu qiúfàn - to guard prisoners).

`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.”

• Formality: Formal.
• Connotation: Neutral, describes a job title.
• Examples: `他是一名看守` (Tā shì yī míng kānshǒu - He is a guard/jailer).

• Example 1:
  • 他的工作是看守这座重要的仓库。
  • Pinyin: Tā de gōngzuò shì kānshǒu zhè zuò zhòngyào de cāngkù.
  • English: His job is to guard this important warehouse.
  • Analysis: A classic, neutral example of `看守` used for a place. It simply states a duty.
• Example 2:
  • 警察在医院看守着受伤的嫌疑人。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngchá zài yīyuàn kānshǒu zhe shòushāng de xiányírén.
  • English: The police are guarding the injured suspect at the hospital.
  • Analysis: This shows `看守` used for a person. Note that the person is a “suspect” (`嫌疑人`), reinforcing the legal/detention context.
• Example 3:
  • 在被审判前，他被关在看守所里。
  • Pinyin: Zài bèi shěnpàn qián, tā bèi guān zài kānshǒusuǒ lǐ.
  • English: Before being tried, he was held in a detention center.
  • Analysis: This example uses the extremely common related term `看守所` (kānshǒusuǒ), which literally means “guarding place,” or “detention center.”
• Example 4:
  • 老王已经在门口看守了一整夜。
  • Pinyin: Lǎo Wáng yǐjīng zài ménkǒu kānshǒu le yī zhěng yè.
  • English: Old Wang has been keeping watch at the door all night long.
  • Analysis: This emphasizes the duration and duty-bound nature of the action.
• Example 5:
  • 作为看守，他的首要责任是防止任何人逃跑。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi kānshǒu, tā de shǒuyào zérèn shì fángzhǐ rènhé rén táopǎo.
  • English: As a guard, his primary responsibility is to prevent anyone from escaping.
  • Analysis: Here, `看守` is used as a noun, referring to the role of a guard.
• Example 6:
  • 你需要看守好这些证据，不能让任何人碰。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào kānshǒu hǎo zhèxiē zhèngjù, bùnéng ràng rènhé rén pèng.
  • English: You need to guard this evidence well and not let anyone touch it.
  • Analysis: This shows a slightly more abstract use—guarding objects (evidence) rather than a place or person. The core meaning of preventing unauthorized access remains.
• Example 7:
  • 两个卫兵在宫殿外看守。
  • Pinyin: Liǎng ge wèibīng zài gōngdiàn wài kānshǒu.
  • English: Two soldiers are standing guard outside the palace.
  • Analysis: `看守` is often used interchangeably with `守卫 (shǒuwèi)` in formal, guard-duty contexts like this.
• Example 8:
  • 严密看守是监狱安全的基础。
  • Pinyin: Yánmì kānshǒu shì jiānyù ānquán de jīchǔ.
  • English: Strict surveillance/guarding is the foundation of prison security.
  • Analysis: Here, `看守` is used as a concept—the act of guarding—rather than a direct action by a person.
• Example 9:
  • 他被指派去看守边境哨所。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèi zhǐpài qù kānshǒu biānjìng shàosuǒ.
  • English: He was assigned to guard the border outpost.
  • Analysis: This highlights the formal, assigned nature of the duty associated with `看守`.
• Example 10:
  • 看守的工作很枯燥，需要极大的耐心。
  • Pinyin: Kānshǒu de gōngzuò hěn kūzào, xūyào jídà de nàixīn.
  • English: The work of a guard is tedious and requires great patience.
  • Analysis: Using `看守` as a noun to describe the job itself.

• The Pronunciation Trap: kān vs. kàn
  • The single biggest mistake learners make is pronouncing 看 as `kàn` (4th tone) in this word.
  • Correct: `kānshǒu` (1st tone) - To guard, watch over.
  • Incorrect: `kànshǒu` (4th tone) - This combination sounds like “to look at the hand” and is nonsensical in this context. Remember: when it means “to guard” or “to look after,” 看 is kān.
• `看守` vs. `照顾` vs. `保护`
  • These three words are easily confused but have very different meanings.
  • 看守 (kānshǒu): To guard/watch, focusing on surveillance and preventing escape/entry. It's impersonal and duty-based. (e.g., a prisoner, a warehouse).
  • 照顾 (zhàogù): To take care of/look after, focusing on nurturing, health, and well-being. It is personal and caring. (e.g., a child, a patient, a pet).
  • 保护 (bǎohù): To protect, focusing on defending against external harm or danger. (e.g., protecting the environment, protecting someone from an attacker).
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • Wrong: 我今晚要看守我的小狗。(Wǒ jīnwǎn yào kānshǒu wǒ de xiǎo gǒu.)
  • Why it's wrong: This makes it sound like your puppy is a dangerous criminal you need to keep under lock and key.
  • Correct: 我今晚要照顾我的小狗。(Wǒ jīnwǎn yào zhàogù wǒ de xiǎo gǒu.) - “I need to take care of my puppy tonight.”

• 看守所 (kānshǒusuǒ) - A detention center. The place where suspects are held and `看守`-ed before trial.
• 保安 (bǎo'ān) - The modern, common word for a “security guard” at an apartment building, mall, or office. Less formal than `看守`.
• 守卫 (shǒuwèi) - To guard; a guard. Very similar to `看守`, but often used in a military or more formal “sentry” context.
• 看管 (kānguǎn) - To be in charge of, to look after (property, facilities). Implies more management and less of an immediate security threat than `看守`.
• 监狱 (jiānyù) - Prison, jail. The place where convicted criminals are incarcerated, often guarded by `看守`.
• 保护 (bǎohù) - To protect. Antonym in concept; `保护` is defending from outside harm, while `看守` is often about preventing escape from the inside.
• 照顾 (zhàogù) - To take care of. Contrasting term. `照顾` is about nurturing, while `看守` is about surveillance.
• 看 (kān) - The standalone verb “to look after” or “to mind.” E.g., `看门` (kān mén - to guard a door) or `看孩子` (kān háizi - to watch a child). It's the root of `看守`.