注意安全
zhùyì ānquán
In Chinese, the phrase for "be safe" is 注意安全 (zhùyì ānquán).
注意安全 is used to tell someone to take care and avoid physical danger, particularly when they are departing on a trip or engaging in an activity that might involve physical risk.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 注意 (zhùyì), meaning 'to pay attention to' and 安全 (ānquán), meaning 'safety'.
Which one should you use?
While 注意安全 focuses on avoiding physical danger, 保重 is a more general way to say 'take care of yourself' regarding health and well-being.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwanese Mandarin, the expression 保重自己 may be used to mean 'take care of yourself' or 'be safe'.
How do you pronounce it?
zhùyì ānquán
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, the concept of 'safety' in 安全 is deeply linked to the idea of 'peace' and 'quiet', where the character 安 originally depicted a woman under a roof, signifying stability.
- If you are traveling and want to say 'stay safe' regarding your health or general well-being, you would likely use 保重, which literally translates to 'protect the weight' or 'maintain your heavy state'.
- While 'be safe' is a common farewell, saying 注意安全 to a close friend or family member can sometimes sound unexpectedly formal or even clinical, as if you are treating them like a stranger in a dangerous situation.
Examples in context
- 周末外出旅行，一定要注意安全哦！When traveling this weekend, be sure to stay safe!
- 路上请注意安全。Lùshàng qǐng zhùyì ānquán.Please be safe on the road.
- 你自己一定要注意安全。Nǐ zìjǐ yīdìng yào zhùyì ānquán.You must be safe yourself.
- 下雨天开车要注意安全。Xiàyǔtiān kāichē yào zhùyì ānquán.Be safe when driving on rainy days.
Example conversation
晓雯 is seeing 志强 off as he heads out for a night drive.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，开车出门要注意安全。Zhìqiáng, kāichē chūmén yào zhùyì ānquán.Zhiqiang, be safe when you drive out.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好的，我会的。Hǎo de, wǒ huì de.Okay, I will.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen到了给我发个信息。Dàole gěi wǒ fā gè xìnxī.Send me a message when you arrive.
- 志强 Zhiqiang没问题，晓雯再见。Méi wèntí, Xiǎowén zàijiàn.No problem, goodbye Xiaowen.
