Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'police' or 'alarm' with 警 (jǐng)

    Actions & Events
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    报 + 警 / 警 + 方

    Explanation

    警 (jǐng) can mean "police," "alarm," or "warning" depending on context. It appears in compounds like 警方 (police), 报警 (to report to police / to sound an alarm), and 警察 (police officer). As a standalone character, it carries a core meaning of alertness and enforcement.

    Examples

    • 警方已经对这起事件展开了调查。

      Jǐngfāng yǐjīng duì zhè qǐ shìjiàn zhǎnkāi le diàochá.

      The police have already launched an investigation into this incident.

    • 她吓坏了，赶紧拿起手机报警。

      Tā xiàhuài le, gǎnjǐn náqǐ shǒujī bàojǐng.

      She was terrified and quickly grabbed her phone to call the police.

    • 接到报警后，警察五分钟就赶到了现场。

      Jiēdào bàojǐng hòu, jǐngchá wǔ fēnzhōng jiù gǎndào le xiànchǎng.

      After receiving the emergency call, the police arrived at the scene in five minutes.

    Expressing 'police' or 'alarm' with 警 (jǐng) | Chinese Grammar