警惕 jǐngtì to be on the alert
to be on the alert; vigilant; alert; on guard; to warn
How to remember 警惕: 警 guard + 惕 cautious = to be on the alert.
Characters
How it is used
- To stay vigilant / be on guard against - 提高警惕 (tígāo jǐngtì) heighten one's vigilance; 警惕诈骗 (jǐngtì zhàpiàn) watch out for scams.
- Emphasizes inner mental alertness to danger; can take a direct object (the thing to beware of).
- Contrast 警戒 (jǐngjiè), which leans toward outward guarding/standing watch.
Example sentences
- 保持警惕。 Bǎochíjǐngtì.Stay sharp.
- 你真是警惕。 Nǐ zhēnshì jǐngtì.You're very alert.
- 不要放松警惕。 Búyào fàngsōng jǐngtì.Don't let your guard down.