警方 — meaning in English: police

jǐngfāng · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for police

现象

xiànxiàng

海

hǎi

雨

yǔ

说明

shuōmíng

警方

jǐngfāng

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use 警方 in formal and informal settings when discussing law enforcement activities. For instance, someone might say, '警方正在调查案件' (The police are investigating the case) during a conversation about crime news, or when reporting an incident to friends.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 警察 (jǐngchá), which also means 'police.' However, 警方 tends to be used in more formal contexts, especially in news reports or official documents, while 警察 is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Culture

The term 警方 is composed of two characters: 警 (jǐng), meaning 'to warn' or 'to guard,' and 方 (fāng), which refers to 'side' or 'party.' This reflects the role of the police as the guardians of public safety. Interestingly, in Chinese culture, the police are often portrayed as both protectors and enforcers, reflecting a unique balance of authority and responsibility.

FAQ

Q.What is the difference between 警方 and 警察?

警方 refers more broadly to the police force as an institution, while 警察 specifically denotes individual police officers. Use 警方 when discussing official police actions or policies.

Q.How do I use 警方 in a sentence?

You can use 警方 in sentences like '警方发表了声明' (The police issued a statement) to convey formal information about police activities.

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 警方?

A common mistake is using 警方 interchangeably with 警察 when speaking informally. Remember that 警方 is more suitable for formal contexts, while 警察 is better for casual conversations.

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