戒备 jièbèi to take precautions
to take precautions; to guard against (emergency)
How to remember 戒备: 戒 to warn + 备 prepare = to take precautions.
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How it is used
- To be on guard / take defensive precautions against danger - 戒备森严 (jièbèi sēnyán) heavily guarded; 心存戒备 (xīncún jièbèi) to be wary.
- Both physical (security, sentries) and psychological (wariness toward a person); implies vigilance against a possible threat.
- Different from 准备 (zhǔnbèi, to prepare): 戒备 is specifically defensive, alert-against-danger readiness.