注意安全
zhùyì ānquán
The Chinese phrase for 'stay safe' is 注意安全 (zhùyì ānquán).
注意安全 is used to tell someone to be careful and avoid danger.
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 is a general wish for someone's well-being or safety, 小心 (xiǎoxīn) is more immediate and often used as a warning to 'watch out' for a specific, imminent danger.
How does it change in a sentence?
注意安全 can be used as a standalone imperative or as part of a sentence, such as '你要注意安全' (nǐ yào zhùyì ānquán), which means 'You should stay safe'.
How do you pronounce it?
zhùyì ānquán
Did you know?
- The character 安 (ān) in 安全 originally depicted a woman (女) under a roof (宀), suggesting that a home is a place of peace and safety.
- While 注意安全 is common, people in China often say 慢走 (màn zǒu), meaning 'walk slowly', to a guest leaving their home as a way of wishing them a safe journey.
- In many Chinese social contexts, instead of saying 'stay safe', people may use the phrase 保重 (bǎozhòng), which literally means 'protect your weight' or 'take care of your body'. It is a deeper, more heartfelt way to wish someone well during long absences.
Examples in context
- 祝你旅途愉快，保重！Wishing you a pleasant journey, stay safe!
- 出门的时候注意安全！Be safe when you go out!
- 出门记得小心点！Remember to be careful when you go out!
- 祝你旅途平安！Wishing you a safe journey!
- 出门记得注意安全。Chūmén jìdé zhùyì ānquán.Remember to stay safe when you go out.
- 下雨天开车要注意安全。Xiàyǔtiān kāichē yào zhùyì ānquán.You must stay safe driving on rainy days.
- 在山上爬山要注意安全。Zài shānshàng páshān yào zhùyì ānquán.Stay safe while hiking on the mountain.
Example conversation
Zihan is saying goodbye to Junjie as he heads out for a hiking trip.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，去爬山要多注意安全。Jùnjié, qù páshān yào duō zhùyì ānquán.Junjie, make sure to stay safe while hiking.
- 俊杰 Junjie我会的，谢谢你，梓涵。Wǒ huì de, xièxiè nǐ, Zǐhán.I will, thank you, Zihan.
- 梓涵 Zihan祝你玩得开心。Zhù nǐ wán de kāixīn.Have a great time.
- 俊杰 Junjie好，我很快就回来。Hǎo, wǒ hěn kuài jiù huílái.Okay, I'll be back soon.
